Stiff-person syndrome: Celine Dion's rare neurological disorder forces her to cancel 2023 tour

On December 8, 2022, Céline Dion shocked fans when she announced via Instagram that she had been diagnosed with stiff-person syndrome, a rare neurological disorder. The disorder causes the individual to suffer muscle rigidity and muscular spasms.

Dion shared the news via a video on Instagram, where fans could see how upset the singer was. With tears in her eyes, Céline said, "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. It's been really difficult for me to face these challenges and to talk about everything I've been going through."

Dion went on, "Recently, I've been diagnosed with a very rare neurological disorder called stiff-person syndrome, which affects something one in a million people. While we're still learning about this rare condition, we know that this is what has been causing all of the spasms that I've been having."

The condition makes it practically impossible for Céline to perform as she used to. "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," the singer said with great sorrow.

Photo: Instagram@celinedion

In her emotional address to fans, the performer shared that due to her condition, she was forced to cancel eight shows she had scheduled for this summer and postpone her concerts planned for spring 2023 and 2024. "Singing is what I have done all my life, and for me, not being able to do that anymore is unimaginable," she lamented.

However, Céline is not giving up and is trying her best to recover. "I'm working hard with a sports medicine therapist every day to build back my strength and my ability to perform again, but I have to admit it's been a struggle," the singer said.

Photo: Instagram@celinedion

The Canadian artist said that if she hopes to be able to perform for fans again one day, giving 100%, she must take care of her health. "For me to reach you again, I have no choice but to concentrate on my health at this moment. I have hope that I'm on the road to recovery. This is my focus, and I'm doing everything I can to recuperate."

Céline's health has been affecting her ability for some time now. In the spring of 2022, Dion nearly broke into tears as she told fans she had to cancel her European tour plans due to her health issues.

Despite the disappointing news both in the spring and in December of 2022, Celine received plenty of support from both fans and stars such as Sam Heughan and Brian Kelly. Heughan wrote, "Much love to you, Celine!" and Brian Kelly added: "All good things are worth waiting for! We LOVE you, and we know you will overcome this and come out stronger than ever."

But fans, be reassured, Celine Dion will still make her comeback in 2023… at the cinema! Her team announced on Instagram at the beginning of November that the singer would be in the cast of "Love Again", a romantic comedy scheduled for release on May 12, 2023. Alongside Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Sam Heughan, Celine Dion will play herself. And that's not all!

And if you can't wait for May 2023 to see her on the screen, you can check out Dion's entire story in the biopic 'Aline,' directed by Valérie Lemercier. Because Céline certainly has had a long and exciting career. Click on to read about Céline's rise to fame!

Céline Dion was born in Charlemagne, Quebec (Canada), on March 30, 1968. She is the youngest of her fourteen siblings. Her first name is a tribute to Hugues Aufray's song 'Céline.'

At age four, she got her first clarinet. Her brothers and sisters encouraged her to work on her voice, which has always stood out. So Céline began taking singing classes.

The first song Céline Dion recorded in a studio was 'Ce N'etait Qu'un Rêve,' which she wrote with her mother. The singer sent the material to producer René Angélil and, in 1981, at the age of 13, she released her first album, 'La voix du bon Dieu.'

Céline's first single was released in France in 1982 and was an international success. Céline became very popular in Quebec and around the world.

She won the "Top Performer" award in the 1982 Yamaha World Popular Song Festival in Japan and a gold medal for "Best Song."

However, being a professional singer and a student soon proved incompatible, and it was around this time that Céline dropped out of school.

In 1984, she recorded 'Du Soleil au Cœur', an album in French. She performed for 65,000 people during Pope John Paul II's visit to Montreal, singing 'Une Columbe' (A Dove9.  Later, the song broke out in Canada. In the same year, Celine Dion toured France.

Despite this, she still needed to gain popularity in the rest of the world to become the pop star she wanted to be. Therefore, her mentor René Angélil advised her to take English classes and change her image. Céline also had some dental work done.

With a new look and a more commercial musical style, Céline Dion made her comeback in 1987. She signed a contract with CBS, the future Sony Music, and released the album 'Incognito.'

In 1988, she was selected to participate in the great European music festival in Dublin. She represented Switzerland with the song “Ne partez pas sans moi,” which was part of her new work. It won the contest, and Céline became even more well known in Europe.

However, in 1989 the singer faced a setback when she injured her vocal cords while giving a concert as part of the 'Incognito' tour. The well-known voice doctor William Gould told her she had a choice: have surgery immediately or remain silent for three weeks to heal her vocal cords.

Céline wasn't eager to go under the knife, so she chose silence paired with vocal training with William Riley once she could use her voice again.

In 1990, she released her first English-language album 'Unison,' which reached #4 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in March 1991.

In 1991, she celebrated the tenth anniversary of her career. For the occasion, she released the album 'Dion Chante Plamondon', where she paid tribute to the Canadian composer of the musical 'Starmania', Luc Plamondon. The artist wrote several songs for Celine Dion.

Her second English-language album was released in 1992: 'Céline Dion.' It features the theme song for the movie 'Beauty and the Beast,' which she sings with Peabo Bryson.

In 1993, Céline took to the stage with big stars such as Gloria Estefan, Mariah Carey, Aretha Franklin, Carole King, and Shania Twain.

Then, in 1993, came another album in English, 'The Colour Of My Love.' This time it sold 10 million copies, earning Canadian artist Céline Dion fans in the United States.

That same year, Dion proclaimed her love for her manager René Angélil which caused quite a stir as he was 26 years her senior. In fact, they first met when Céline was 12 years old, and René was 38.

Céline had dedicated the album released that year to him and said he was "the colour of her love." Céline was fearful of how her fans would react to her relationship given the significant age difference; however, for the most part, fans reacted positively.

Sadly, also in 1993, she lost one of her nieces, who suffered from cystic fibrosis. It was then that she became involved in philanthropic causes to help sick children.

The following year, in 1994, she formalized her union with producer René Angélil with a wedding in Montreal, which was aired on Canadian television.

1994 was the year of her return to France. She recorded a live disc of her show at the famous Olympia theater in Paris. Two years later, she met Jean-Jacques Goldman (photo) in Cannes.

Impressed by her talent, Jean-Jacques Goldman composed twelve tracks for her for the album “D'eux.” It was the best-selling album in French of all time: over ten million copies sold worldwide.

In France, the album remained at number one for 44 weeks. The next single, 'Je sais pas,' was also number one in the Top 50.

Then came the album 'Falling into You,' released in 1996, which was also a massive success with 32 million copies sold.

'Because You Loved Me,' the theme of the movie 'Up Close & Personal,' became a worldwide hit and won the Grammy Award for Best Song, in addition to being nominated for an Academy Award. The album 'Falling into You' is one of the best sellers in history.

Famous all over the world, Celine Dion was working harder than ever and paying the price. So, in 1996, exhausted, she decided to take a sabbatical.

In 1997, Céline Dion returned with the album 'Let's Talk About Love.' Céline recorded her legendary duet with Barbra Streisand, 'Tell Him' and 'My Heart Will Go On,' the song from the movie 'Titanic.'

With the success of the film, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, the song 'My Heart Will Go On' earned the singer millions of copies sold and, of course, the Oscar for Best Original Song, as well as three Grammy Awards.

In 1998, Céline Dion released the second album produced by Jean-Jacques Goldman: 'S'il suffisait d'aimer.' After 'D'eux,' it became one of the best-selling French-language records in the world.

At the height of her career, Céline Dion decided to take a break to give birth to her first child. But before that, she went on a farewell tour and released her first compilation, 'All The Way… A Decade Of Song'.

In 1999, she received a special award from her label for having sold more than 100 million albums worldwide.

On January 25, 2001, their first child, René-Charles, was born.

In 2001, she participated in the first album by Garou. Together they sang 'Sous le vent,' which won the diamond record in France.

Céline sang 'God Bless America' during a program on American television to honour the victims of the attacks on the World Trade Center in the United States. She also collaborated on the single 'What More Can I Give?' with Michael Jackson.

Céline decided that it was time for a break again, this time for two years. However, she came back in 2002 with the album 'A New Day has Come', which features the single 'I'm Alive.' It's a more personal album where she sings about motherhood.

Céline Dion began performing at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas for a four-year term to celebrate her reunion with the public.

In 2003, she returned to the French public with the album '1 fille & 4 types', entirely composed by Jean-Jacques Goldman. However, although well-received, the album did not reach the status of her previous French albums.

In 2004, Céline Dion received her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles. Undeniable proof she was, in fact, a megastar.

In the same year, she released a concept album, 'Miracle,' where she mixed photos and lullabies. For this, she collaborated with Anne Geddes, a famous children's photographer.

In 2009, Céline Dion, at 41, became pregnant again, this time with twins. In 2010 she gave birth to her children Eddy and Nelson.

In 2012, she released the album 'Sans Attendre,' in which Luc Plamondon, Maxime Le Forestier, and Jean-Pierre Ferland participated. She also sang with Henri Salvador and Johnny Hallyday (photo). The most emblematic song on this album is 'Parler à mon père'.

In 2013, the Angélil-Dion couple were honored by Governor General of Canada David Johnston in appreciation for their contribution to Canada's international influence. René Angélil was named a Member of the Order of Canada, and Céline Dion was given the rank of Companion of the Order of Canada.

In 2014, Céline Dion suspended all her activities for reasons related to her health: she suffered from inflammation. At the same time, René was operated on for a cancerous tumour. She then announced that she would slow down her career to care for her children's father, her great love.

In 2015, she announced that her return to Las Vegas would take place in August.

In January 2016, after months of suffering, René Angélil died of throat cancer. Two days later, Celine Dion lost her brother Daniel, 59, also to cancer.

A few weeks after her husband's funeral, Céline boldly returned to the stage in Las Vegas, honouring her promise to him to return to music.

In 2018, she released 'Ashes', a single from the soundtrack of the film 'Deadpool 2'.

Since then, Céline Dion has lived a more discreet life. However, that doesn't stop her from appearing at Fashion Weeks with her extravagant looks, which we like so much. In 2019, she entertained viewers on James Cordon's famous 'Carpool Karaoke.'

Until Céline Dion can get back on the road, we can only wish her a speedy recovery. We hope with all our heart to see her soon in great shape, with that voice that moves us so much!