UPDATE 12/19/2023: Celine Dion’s sister, Claudette, has announced that the singer has “no control over her muscles”.
“The vocal cords are muscles, but so is the heart,” she said. “That’s what gets to me. Because it’s one in a million case, scientists don’t have that much research on the topic, because it didn’t affect that many people.”
“It’s true that in both our dreams and hers, the goal is to return to the stage. In what capacity? I don’t know.”
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Celine Dion shared an Instagram post that sadly announced her Courage World Tour would be canceled due to her fight against stiff person syndrome which is a rare autoimmune disease that only impacts less than 5,000 Americans.
Dion, 55, revealed her diagnosis back in December 2022 and that the syndrome doesn’t allow her to ‘sing like the way I’m used to.’ The disorder is a rare disease that targets the nervous system, specifically the brain and spine.
“While we’re still learning about this rare condition, we now know this is what’s been causing all of the spasms that I’ve been having,” Dion said at the time of her 2022 announcement. “Unfortunately, these spasms affect every aspect of my daily life, sometimes causing difficulties when I walk and not allowing me to use my vocal cords to sing the way I’m used to.”
A source close to Dion told CNN that the ‘My Heart Will Go On’ singer is in a great amount of pain and that she is doing daily physical therapy to help with her progressive condition. While there is no cure for Stiff Person Syndrome, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke says that treatment will help improve symptoms.
Despite her condition Dion is hopeful for the road ahead and her focus surrounds building back her strength so that she can continue to sing for fans around the world.
“I want you all to know, I’m not giving up,” Dion said in the final part of her instagram caption, “and I can’t wait to see you again!”
Tickets for the 42 canceled tour dates will be refunded to fans via the original sale point.
Sources:
https://www.eonline.com/news/1375566/celine-dion-cancels-world-tour-amid-health-battle
https://www.cnn.com/2023/05/26/entertainment/celine-dion-tour-canceled/index.html
Celine Dion’s Sister Updates on Her Stiff Person Syndrome (vulture.com)
