Celine Dion is determined to make her return to the stage despite battling a rare neurological disorder, Stiff Person Syndrome.
In a recent interview with NBC, Dion passionately expressed her resolve to perform again, even if it means doing so under challenging conditions.
“I’m going to go back onstage, even if I have to crawl. Even if I have to talk with my hands, I will. I will,” said Dion, 56, in a heartfelt moment from the interview set to air later on Tuesday.
Dion’s interview precedes the release of her documentary, “I Am: Celine Dion,” scheduled to premiere on Amazon Prime on June 25.
In it, the Grammy-winning artist behind hits like ‘My Heart Will Go On’ opens up about her journey.
“I am Celine Dion, because today my voice will be heard for the first time, not just because I have to, or because I need to. It’s because I want to and I miss it,” she declared.
Stiff Person Syndrome, which Dion first disclosed in December 2022, is a progressive autoimmune disorder that causes muscle stiffness and severe spasms.
The condition, which affects twice as many women as men according to the US National Institutes of Health, has no cure but can be managed with treatment.
Describing the impact of the syndrome, Dion said, “It’s like somebody is strangling you,” highlighting the excruciating pain that can course through her body, sometimes even causing broken ribs.
The severity of her condition forced her to cancel multiple shows scheduled for 2023 and 2024.
Despite her struggles, Dion made a surprise appearance at the Grammy Awards earlier this year, where she presented the Album of the Year award to Taylor Swift.
Throughout her illustrious career, Dion has sold over 250 million albums.
Her ‘Courage World Tour’, which began in 2019, saw her complete 52 shows before the pandemic halted the rest of the tour.
