The dates of Celine Dion’s world tour may change as she makes further health-related announcements.
In an emotional Instagram video posted on Thursday, the singer revealed that she has stiff person syndrome, a neurological condition. The singer claimed that the symptoms are what have previously been causing her to experience severe muscle spasms.
“The 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,” Dion said. “I have to admit it’s been a struggle. All I know is singing, it’s what I’ve done all my life.”
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, Stiff Person Syndrome, also known as SPS, is a condition that results in “progressive muscle stiffness and painful spasms” that are brought on by external triggers such “sudden movement, cold temperature, or unexpected loud noises.”
One in a million people are thought to be affected by the condition, making it unusual.
Dion noted that the diagnosis makes it impossible for the European leg of her tour to resume in February. The events she had planned for the summer have been cancelled, while the ones for the spring have been moved to 2024.
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“I have a great team of doctors working alongside me to help me get better,” Dion said. “I’m working with my sports medicine therapist every day to build back my strength and my ability to perform again.”
The French-Canadian chanteuse canceled the North American leg of her “Courage World Tour” in January due to “severe and persistent muscle spasms.” The North American portion of the tour was initially postponed due to the pandemic.
Her Las Vegas residency was canceled in October 2021 after the “My Heart Will Go On” crooner said the spasms were affecting her rehearsals.
Dion’s return to Las Vegas was viewed as a homecoming for the singer, who changed the landscape of the city’s music residency culture with the 2003 debut of “A New Day…” in the specifically designed Colosseum at Caesars Palace.
Carrie Underwood opened the 5,000-capacity theater, instead of Dion, in December 2021 with her show, “Reflection – The Las Vegas Residency.”
Source: USA Today
