{"id":576177,"date":"2026-03-31T11:23:20","date_gmt":"2026-03-31T11:23:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/576177\/"},"modified":"2026-03-31T11:23:20","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T11:23:20","slug":"celine-dion-announces-comeback-performances-after-struggles-with-stiff-person-syndrome","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/576177\/","title":{"rendered":"C\u00e9line Dion announces comeback performances after struggles with stiff person syndrome"},"content":{"rendered":"

Megastar singer C\u00e9line Dion has announced her return to performing after a lengthy break prompted by a rare health condition.<\/p>\n

Addressing fans in a video released on social media on Monday, which was also the 58-year-old Canadian’s birthday, she said her condition had improved, and she would perform a series of shows in Paris beginning in September.\u00a0<\/p>\n

“This year, I’m getting the best birthday gift of my life. I’m getting the chance to see you, to perform for you once again,” Dion said.<\/p>\n

“I want to let you know that I’m doing great, managing my health, feeling good.”<\/p>\n

The last time the My Heart Will Go On singer headlined her own performance was on March 8, 2020, before her Courage tour was cancelled due to the COVID pandemic.<\/p>\n

\"celine<\/p>\n

Dion performing on the opening night of her Courage world tour in 2019. (AFP: Alice Chiche)<\/p>\n

Dion then disclosed she had been diagnosed with stiff person syndrome (SPS) in December 2022, and was forced to cancel the remainder of her shows indefinitely.<\/p>\n

“I’ve been diagnosed with a very rare neurological disorder called the stiff person syndrome, which affects one in a million people,” she said at the time.<\/p>\n

“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.<\/p>\n

“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.”<\/p>\n

\"Celine<\/p>\n

I Am: Celine Dion depicted how SPS affected the singer in her daily life. (Supplied: Amazon MGM Studios)<\/p>\n

What is stiff person syndrome?<\/p>\n

SPS is a rare neurological disease with symptoms that include muscle spasms, muscle rigidity, chronic pain and heightened anxiety.<\/p>\n

There is no cure for SPS, but there are treatments that can help manage symptoms.\u00a0<\/p>\n

What is stiff person syndrome, the disease affecting Celine Dion?<\/a><\/p>\n

Dion says she’s been having muscle spasms that “affect every aspect of daily life”.<\/p>\n

In 2024, a documentary<\/a> about the singer, I Am: C\u00e9line Dion, shared details of what it took for her to continue recording and performing, including taking up to 80\u201390 milligrams of valium a day \u2014 more than double the safe daily dosage for adults.<\/p>\n

“I don’t want to sound dramatic, but I could have died,” said Dion, who described how muscle stiffness caused by SPS made it hard for her to breathe, sing and walk.<\/p>\n

Despite the diagnosis, she vowed she would fight her way back to the stage.<\/p>\n

A month after the documentary’s release, she sang atop the Eiffel Tower for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games opening ceremony.<\/p>\n

\"Celine<\/p>\n

C\u00e9line Dion performing on the Eiffel Tower during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. (Getty Images: IOC)<\/p>\n

On Monday, Dion told fans that she has continued to feel their support despite her years off stage.<\/p>\n

“Even in my most difficult times, you were there for me. You’ve helped me in ways that I can’t even describe, and I’m truly so fortunate to have your support,” she said, describing that she was now “singing again, even doing a little bit of dancing”.<\/p>\n

Dion is set to perform 10 shows over five weeks at the Paris La Defense Arena beginning on September 12.<\/p>\n

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