Céline Dion decided to play the Grinch, turning a holiday classic into a viral Instagram moment.
On December 24, the 57-year-old singer posted a video in which she donned a furry green costume, full face makeup, a Santa-style coat and hat, and recited a memorable scene from the 2000 film “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” The clip was filmed by a fireplace with her dog on her lap, giving the performance a cozy, home-grown feel. Dion’s comedic timing matched the original Jim Carrey performance, creating a playful homage.
During the video, Dion quipped, “The nerve of those Whos, inviting me down there on such short notice,” and added, “Even if I wanted to go, my schedule wouldn’t allow it!” She also listed her diary commitments-exercising her voice, endlessly scrolling TikTok in bed, and solving world hunger-before deadpanning, “Tell no one.”
To underscore the Grinch’s solitary nature, Dion sang parts of her 1996 single “All By Myself,” a nod to the creature’s loner lifestyle. She captioned the post with a playful question, “Silent night?” followed by, “Not on my watch…”
Jim Carrey, 63, revealed in a December 12 interview with Vulture that the Grinch’s green getup and heavy prosthetics nearly drove him to his wit’s end. He described the suit as “made of unnervingly itchy yak hair that drove me insane all day long.”
Carrey also explained that his 10-inch-long fingers made it impossible to scratch or touch his face, that he had to find a way to speak around his teeth, and that full contact lenses covering his entire eyeball limited his vision to a tiny tunnel. The combination of these challenges made each take a grueling ordeal.
After threatening to quit the beloved production and return his $20 million paycheck, director Ron Howard and producer Brian Grazer persuaded Carrey to stay. They enlisted a Navy SEAL commander who taught him endurance tactics such as punching himself in the leg, smoking between takes, and eating “everything in sight.”
Carrey found solace in music during the grueling process, listening to the entire Bee Gees catalogue while applying makeup. He remarked, “Their music is so joyful. I’ve never met Barry Gibb, but I want to thank him.” Carrey also noted that Dion has collaborated with Barry Gibb in the past.
The juxtaposition of Dion’s light-hearted performance with Carrey’s behind-the-scenes struggles highlights the demanding nature of embodying the Grinch. Both artists demonstrate how iconic roles can inspire creativity and resilience.
Key Takeaways
- Céline Dion’s Instagram video showcases a playful Grinch homage on Dec. 24.
- Jim Carrey endured itchy yak-hair prosthetics, long fingers, and limited vision during filming.
- Carrey credited the Bee Gees’ music as a source of joy while tackling the role’s physical demands.
The Grinch’s legacy continues to entertain audiences, whether through a pop star’s holiday skit or an actor’s candid reflection on the challenges of bringing a beloved character to life.
