Dedicated Celine Dion supporters gathered in front of the Rolling Stone office to protest the singer’s omission from the publication’s 200 Greatest Singers of All Time list, which has gone viral. A group of about 15 devoted Celine supporters traveled from Montreal to New York City over a six-hour period as members of the Redheads fan club on Facebook. One of the many signs displayed at the intersection stated, “Rolling Stone, you’ve hit an iceberg.”
The gang erupted in anger over the diva’s exclusion, blasting “That’s the Way It Is” from a portable speaker. They gathered in a queue, shouting “Justice for Celine,” to show the editors that this choice would break their hearts.
The Rolling Stone list, which was released on January 1, sparked a flurry online due to its divisive selections, most notably the omission of the French Canadian pop star.
“The list is completely illegitimate,” said The Redheads founder Line Basbous, who helped organize the protest. “We wanted to support her and make sure that Rolling Stone hears the voice of the fans. The list is ridiculous. No Madonna, no Celine. They’re clearly focused on American singers and we don’t understand.”
Another Celine super-fan, 31 year-old Charles Lemay, said the group, mainly based in Canada, began organizing the protest as soon as the article was published. “In Quebec, it’s nonsense that she’s not on the list. She’s been in all our lives since the beginning.”
One couple from France ran into the protest on the streets and joined the chants for fun. They heard the group speaking French and decided to pick up a sign. “I don’t really know why we’re here,” one said.
Meanwhile, across the street at the New York Public Library, was a larger political protest denouncing the Jan. 6 insurrection.
Rolling Stone would not comment on the protest.