In a heartfelt Instagram post on Thursday, Céline Dion disclosed details about her health, revealing that she will need to postpone and cancel several upcoming concert dates. Dion announced Thursday morning that she has been diagnosed with Stiff-Person Syndrome, a rare and incurable neurological disorder known to cause severe muscle spasms. In a tearful video shared on her Instagram account, the Canadian singer expressed her struggles with the condition and the impact it will have on her tour schedule.
“For a long time, I’ve been facing health challenges, and it’s been incredibly difficult for me to confront these obstacles and discuss everything I’ve been going through,” Dion, 54, wrote in the caption of her post. “It pains me to inform you that I won’t be ready to resume my tour in Europe in February.”
“Recently, I was diagnosed with a highly rare neurological condition called Stiff-Person Syndrome, which affects only about one in a million people,” she explained in the video. “While we’re still learning about this condition, we now understand that it’s responsible for the spasms I’ve been experiencing.” According to the Stiff-Person Syndrome Foundation, the condition impacts the central nervous system, particularly the brain and spinal cord, and can result in severe disability and chronic pain.
View this post on Instagram
“Unfortunately, these spasms affect every aspect of my daily life,” Dion continued. “They sometimes make walking difficult and prevent me from using my vocal cords to sing as I’m accustomed to.”
Dion, who is a mother of three sons, acknowledged the support of her medical team and her children in her journey towards recovery. Due to her condition, Dion’s Spring 2023 tour dates have been rescheduled to 2024, while eight of her summer 2023 shows have been canceled entirely. Despite the setbacks, the five-time Grammy winner expressed determination to return to performing.
“Singing is all I know. It’s what I’ve dedicated my life to, and it’s what I love the most,” she said. “I’m working tirelessly with my sports medicine therapist every day to regain my strength and performance abilities, but I won’t deny that it’s been challenging.”
Dion became visibly emotional as she expressed her affection for her fans and her longing to return to the stage. “I miss you all so much. I miss seeing you, performing for you. I always give my all during my shows, but my condition is preventing me from doing so right now,” she tearfully confessed.
“To reconnect with you, I have to prioritize my health at this moment,” she added. “I’m hopeful that I’m on the path to recovery. This is my focus, and I’m doing everything in my power to heal. Thank you for your unwavering love and support on social media. It means the world to me.”
“Take care of yourselves. Stay healthy. I love you all dearly, and I hope to see you again very soon,” she concluded, wiping away tears. “Thank you.” Dion initially postponed her tour due to the pandemic and later in January due to health concerns related to her condition, as now revealed. She informed fans in April that plans for a 2022 tour would be rescheduled to 2023, emphasizing her commitment to providing her best performance once she has fully recovered.
