The 'My Heart Will Go On' hitmaker breaks her silence on battling Stiff Person Syndrome, recalling her struggles with a rare neurological condition before receiving her diagnosis.
- Jun 10, 2024
AceShowbiz - Celine Dion's recent revelation about her battle with Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS) has shed light on a challenging journey marked by discomfort and uncertainty. The legendary singer, who has been candid about her diagnosis in a series of interviews, revealed key moments and emotions that led her to finally go public with her condition in 2022.
Speaking with Hoda Kotb on "The Today Show", Dion admitted that she had initially kept her diagnosis private, as she was still trying to understand the rare neurological disorder herself.
"What did you want me to say? 'I have…' what?" Dion questioned, highlighting the difficulty of explaining her condition before fully comprehending it herself. SPS, known for causing severe stiffness and debilitating muscle spasms, has significantly impacted her ability to perform.
Dion first noticed symptoms during her "Taking Chances World Tour" in 2008. At that time, her late husband, Rene Angelil, was undergoing treatment for throat cancer, and Dion felt immense pressure to uphold her responsibilities as a performer and a parent. "I had to raise my kids, I had to hide. I had to try to be a hero," she explained, sharing how she juggled her career and family while grappling with her deteriorating health.
As her condition progressed, keeping the truth hidden became unbearable. "I could not do this anymore," she confessed. "Lying to the people who got me where I am today, I could not do it anymore." Dion described the feeling of performing with SPS as having someone onstage "strangling" her, with her voice restricted as if "somebody is pushing your larynx, pharynx this way," mimicking her struggles by pressing a hand to her throat.
Despite the adversity, Dion remains undeterred in her passion for music. Her story is the focus of the upcoming Prime Video documentary "I Am: Celine Dion", set to premiere on June 25. "I miss it so much. The people, I miss them. If I can't run, I'll walk. If I can't walk, I'll crawl," she said, affirming her relentless spirit to overcome her challenges and return to the stage.
In the meantime, Dion has started to make public appearances again, including presenting at the 2024 Grammy Awards. Her openness about SPS not only sheds light on the condition but also underscores the resilience of an artist dedicated to her craft and her fans.
