A heart will go on… because her voice is immortal!
‘Celine Dion is a singer’ is an understatement; she is an emotion. The Canadian sensation has serenaded for generations and still remains one of the most iconic voices of the century.
Dion is an institution of music and an inspiration to musicians. Her music resonates globally, breaking language barriers and uniting people with just emotions. No wonder Celine Dion is one of the highest-grossing and most dependable artists of every generation.
Celine Dion, born on March 30, 1968, was a talent powerhouse since she was young. Even after injuring her precious vocal cords when she was 18, she was determined to be a star after watching Michael Jackson’s performance. And with firm self-belief and persistent vocal cords training, she conquered hearts worldwide and was deemed the “Queen of Power Ballads.”
She was discovered as a teen by a music manager, René Angélil, whom she married after a few years. They were married for 22 years before Angélil lost his battle with cancer.
Even after four decades of her musical career, her concerts are sold, and her tours are one of the most acclaimed among female artists.
After her last tour three years ago, she announced her upcoming tour in 2023. Fans were ecstatic to see the queen return, as the tickets were sold out within hours of going live.
However, on May 26, she took to Instagram to express her dismay with her fans–
She pens down her thoughts with a very personal message–
“I’m so sorry to disappoint all of you once again. I’m working really hard to build back my strength, but touring can be very difficult even when you’re 100%. It’s not fair to you to keep postponing the shows, and even though it breaks my heart, it’s best that we cancel everything now until I’m really ready to be back on stage again. I want you all to know, I’m not giving up… and I can’t wait to see you again!”
A wave of heartbreak immersed her fandom as people were concerned about her health. The singer had always delivered memorable performances in her concerts. But the sudden tour cancellation was indicative of her debilitating health.
What Exactly Happened to Celine Dion?
In December 2022, Celine revealed that she was diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder. The 55-year-old singer first expressed her discomforting health in October 2021, when she was experiencing severe and frequent muscle spasms.
These general spams later evolved into constant stiffness in the body to the point that she couldn’t function in her daily activities.
After the confirmed diagnosis, she spoke about her plight in a tell-all interview–
“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.”
Speaking about the symptoms, Celine explained:
“[Muscle spasms] sometimes cause difficulties when I walk, and it’s not allowing me to use my vocal cords to sing the way I am used to.”
What is this rare disorder? What is she suffering through? Here are a few facts about her illness–
What Is SPD?
A rare autoimmune neurological disorder causes muscle stiffness and severe spasms. In medical terms, it’s referred to as Stiff Person Disorder or SPD.
These spasms occur in the patient’s body without any specific pattern or particular warning signs. This makes the disorder even more discomforting and difficult to manage, which only worsens over time.
However, the Stiff Person Syndrome affects only 1-2 people in a million. The condition is primarily diagnosed in a demographic of 40 to 50-year-olds. But in utmost rare cases, a handful of children and young adults were recorded to suffer from SPD.
The syndrome has drastic effects on the body, leaving people feeling like “human statues.” The extreme spasms lock the body into rigidity, making them unable to walk, restricting hand movements, and causing difficulty talking.
But the more concerning part is that there is no cure for Stiff Person Disorder. The only way to slow the progression of the effects is to get consistent treatments.
How Is Celine Dion Doing?
In the latest interview, Celine Dion’s sister Claudette Dion gave a much-needed update on the singer’s condition. The 74-year-old poured her heart out on the Quebec TV show Bonsoir Bonsoir (as reported by Journaldesfemmes.fr).
She notified on national TV that “Celine is in a determined state of mind and working hard to manage her symptoms.”
She told the host, Jean-Philippe Wauthier–
“We’re all crossing our fingers, and I’m glad people are concerned.”
“She is working hard, and we are confident that we will succeed. It can’t be a story like this,”
Celine was seen in a heart-wrenching state but still full of her spirits, being every bit proud of her son at his wedding.
Even though she can’t sing at the moment, we wish her the best in her recovery; because the world is incomplete without Celine Dion and her angelic voice.
What are your thoughts on Celine’s struggle with the rare disorder? Do you think the singer will return? What is your favorite Celine Dion song?
Let us know in the comments section below.
