Canadian singer Celine Dion has vowed not to let her battle with Stiff Person Syndrome stop her from performing again. In an interview with Hoda Kotb on the Today Show, the 56-year-old singer declared she would return to the stage, even if she had to crawl or use her hands to communicate.
“I’m going to go back on stage, even if I have to crawl. Even if I have to talk with my hands, I will. I will,” she insisted.
Dion first revealed her diagnosis of Stiff Person Syndrome in December 2022, a condition that causes muscle stiffness in the torso, arms, and legs, with spasms triggered by noise or emotional distress. She shared that she had secretly battled the syndrome for 17 years, experiencing symptoms since 2008.
Dion described the syndrome as feeling like being “strangled” and mentioned suffering from cramps and broken ribs. In May last year, she canceled shows scheduled for 2023 and 2024, citing a lack of strength to tour.
When asked about her return to performing, Dion told Vogue France she "can't answer that" right now. Despite her health struggles, Celine Dion has sold more than 250 million albums throughout her illustrious career.