In heartbreaking footage, Celine Dion breaks down in tears as she shares a devastating health update.
The 56-year-old singer, often called the ‘Queen of Power Ballads’, is the best-selling Canadian recording artist and one of the best-selling musical artists.
She’s known for songs such as ‘My Heart Will Go On’, ‘I’m Alive’ and ‘All by Myself’.
In a new documentary titled I Am: Celine Dion, Dion has opened up to fans and revealed her struggles.
Fans have taken to X (formerly known as Twitter) and sent their well wishes to the star.
One person writes: “This video broke me into pieces. What a wonderful and strong woman.”
“Here I am crying over Celine Dion again. My 30+ year love of this woman knows no bounds,” another says.
A third fan pens: “I’m totally in shock, she doesn’t deserve this situation.”
Somebody else comments: “Already crying. Queen, you deserve nothing but health, love, and all the praise. Stay strong Celine, we love you so much and miss you like hell.”
Dion disclosed to fans in 2022 that she had been diagnosed with an extremely rare disorder.
In a tearful video shared on Instagram, ‘The Power Of Love’ singer said: “As you know I’ve always been an open book and I wasn’t ready to say anything before but I am 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 my challenges and to talk about everything that I’ve been going through.”
She added: “While we’re still learning about this rare condition, we now know this is what’s been causing all the spasms I’ve been having.”
Dion would cancel all of her 2023 and 2024 tour dates as she continued to deal with the disorder.
The condition Dion is struggling with is called stiff person syndrome (SPS).
SPS is a neurological disorder and symptoms include stiff muscles in the arms and legs, a greater sensitivity to noise, touch and emotional distress, which can set off spasms, as per the National Institutes of Health.
Progressively, it locks the body into rigid positions. It can lead to abnormal postures, leaving a person hunched over and stiffened.
It can eventually leave a person unable to walk or talk.
Although there are treatments to slow down its progress, SPS is currently incurable.
Dion’s sister, Claudette, has previously revealed that the 56-year-old ‘no longer has control over muscles‘.
In an interview with 7 Jours, the singer’s sibling said: “She’s working hard, but she doesn’t have control over her muscles. What breaks my heart is that she’s always been disciplined.
“She’s always worked hard. Our mother always told her, ‘You’re going to do it well, you’re going to do it properly’.”
When speaking to Le Journal de Montreal, Claudette also offered a glimpse into Dion’s life away from the public eye.
“She’s listening to the top researchers in the field of this rare disease as much as possible,” her sister shared.
And now, Dion herself has provided a heartbreaking health update.
The trailer of Dion’s new documentary shows her breaking down as she discusses her diagnosis with SPS, which has impacted her ability to perform.
At one point, it includes a dramatic 911 call over the Las Vegas skyline – it’s unclear why the call was made.
Towards the end of the trailer, Dion promises fans that she will try anything to save her voice, describing it as ‘the conductor of my life’.
She says: “When your voice brings you joy, you’re the best of yourself. I need my instrument.”
The trailer ends with Dion stating: “If I can’t run, I’ll walk. If I can’t walk, I’ll crawl. But I won’t stop, she won’t stop.”
In an episode of Hoda and Jenna, Hoda Kotb discusses an interview with Dion and claims how the singer told her she ‘almost died’.
The TV personality says: “Celine Dion at some point, she is now much better but, at some point, she almost died, which is something that she says, and it was a scary time.”
In an interview with Vogue, Dion revealed that she’s opened up further about her condition as she wants fans to know the ‘full truth’.
She explained: “I wanted to do it as a documentary because it’s not a quick thing and there is no quick fix to what I’ve gone through.
“It’s not just about vocal exercising and doing Pilates. It’s rehabilitation physically and vocally, emotionally and spiritually – the whole shebang. And I want this story to be told in a classy way. I respect my fans and myself enough for them to know the full truth.”
I Am: Celine Dion premieres on Prime Video on June 25.
Watch the trailer below…