Celine DION  5-million lawsuit against Celine Dion

Celine Dion has released a statement saying she does sing live at concerts. A recently filed $5 million copyright-infringement lawsuit hinted that she faked it. She is denying allegations made by an ex-drummer that she is lip-synchs during live concerts.

"The way it was said makes it sound like I'm not singing live at my shows, which is not true," Dion explained in a statement. "In the past, we've used instrumentation and voice samples on the up-tempo numbers. This just gives the dance tracks a bit more punch to enhance the live performance, but I think that's normal."

She adds that she is hurt by the accusations made by her former percussionist, Peter Barbeau, who makes the lip-synching allegation in a $5 million (Canadian) wrongful termination lawsuit filed last week in Toronto. "The practice of the principal vocal performer not singing during live performances is highly unusual in the music industry," the suit says, adding that her lack of singing compromised his drumming.

The suit also asserts that Barbeau composed the song "Dreaming of You" with a partner and retains 40 percent of royalty rights. The song was featured on Dion's 1996 multiplatinum album, Falling Into You.

Dion denied being involved in handling the publishing rights of the song, but said that "the people who take care of my business have assured me that Peter has 100 percent control of his interest in the song".

"We're asking for what is due to him fairly and reasonably," said Barbeau's lawyer, Howard Wolch.