American Idol thrilled the audience with an extraordinary duet with Céline Dion and the legendary Elvis Presley. In 2007, three decades after his death, Presley made a remarkable virtual return thanks to advanced hologram technology, accompanying Dion in a rendition of his 1968 classic “If I Can Dream”.
The performance began with Presley’s legendary voice and culminated in a seamless duet in which his and Dion’s voices blended perfectly. Their harmony in the chorus was breathtaking, with Dion’s powerful mezzo-soprano blending effortlessly with Presley’s deep baritone. The hologram captures Presley’s timeless stage presence and brings a piece of rock ‘n’ roll history into the modern day.
The duet quickly became a viral sensation, racking up 26 million views on YouTube. The hologram was impressively lifelike, using footage from Presley’s original 1968 performance, while wide shots were enhanced by an Elvis impersonator. Dion’s segments were filmed from multiple angles to ensure a perfect final cut.
Joe Husung, a Disney digital media designer, explained the innovative technology behind the duet: “Rotoscoping allows us to place a portion of an existing video into an entirely new environment, creating a novel use of historical footage”. This technique allowed for the seamless fusion of past and present, resulting in an unforgettable performance.
You can also check out Presley’s original version of “If I Can Dream” from his famous 1968 comeback special, which marked his return to music after focusing on acting.
Watch the video below to experience this extraordinary musical event.