Richard Shotwell / Invision / AP
Celine Dion announces Courage World Tour, set to kick off on Sept. 18, 2019, during a special live event at The Theatre at Ace Hotel on Wednesday, April 3, 2019, in Los Angeles.
Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022 | 8:41 a.m.
Celine Dion said she was prioritizing self-care after being diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder.
In an emotional video message to fans on Thursday, the superstar singer revealed she has stiff person syndrome, a condition that causes “progressive muscle stiffness and painful spasms” caused by environmental factors including “sudden movement, cold temperature or unexpected loud noises,” according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.
“As you know, I’ve always been an open book,” Dion began her Instagram video.
“I wasn’t ready to say anything before, but I’m ready now. I’ve been dealing with problems with my health for a long time, and it’s been really difficult for me to face these challenges and to talk about everything that I’ve been going through.”
The award-winning singer added she and her team were still working to better understand the condition, “which affects something like one in a million people.” She noted the disease was behind the severe spasms she has been struggling with on a regular basis now.
“Unfortunately, the spasms affect every aspect of my daily life,” she continued. “Sometimes causing difficulties when I walk and not allowing me to use my vocal chords to sing the way I’m used to. It hurts me to tell you today, this means, that I won’t be ready to restart my tour in Europe in February.”
Dion said she was also working with a sports therapist every day to build up muscle in her back with the hopes that she can perform again in the future.
Her health diagnosis comes months after she postponed her European tour dates, announcing in April that she had to reschedule Courage World Tour shows due to health issues.
Dion was supposed to open the then-new Resorts World Las Vegas’ theater in November 2021 but had to postpone. The Resorts World Las Vegas website continues to list her planned residency on its entertainment page but notes “Dates to be Announced” for the timeframe.
On Thursday, she said it was “very frustrating” but that she believed she was “on the road to recovery.”
“I’m getting treatment from my doctors, taking medication, but I’m still experiencing some spasm and it’s taking a lot longer for me to recover than I had hoped,” she said. “I need to be in top shape when I’m on stage. I honestly can’t wait, but I’m just not there yet.”
