- Céline Dion announced Thursday she has a rare neurological disorder called stiff-person syndrome.
- The condition has affected aspects of Dion's daily life, including when she walks.
Céline Dion announced Thursday that she has been diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder called stiff-person syndrome, which can cause muscle rigidity and muscular spasms.
The "My Heart Will Go On" singer said in an emotional Instagram video that she has been forced to reschedule various European tour dates from early 2023 to 2024, and has also canceled eight shows due to take place in the summer of 2023.
"I've always been an open book," the singer said through tears in the video. "I wasn't ready to say anything before, but I'm ready now."
"I've been dealing with problems with my health for a long time. It's been really difficult for me to face these challenges and to talk about everything I've been going through," Dion said. "Recently, I've been diagnosed with a very rare neurological disorder called stiff-person syndrome, which affects something one in a million people."
The singer continued: "While we're still learning about this rare condition, we know that this is what has been causing all of the spasms that I've been having. 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."
Dion, 54, said that she will no longer be ready to start her European tour in February but she is hopeful that she'll be able to perform again in the future.
"I'm working hard with a sports medicine therapist every day to build back my strength and my ability to perform again but I have to admit it's been a struggle," the singer said.
"I always give 100% when I do my shows, but my condition is not allowing me to give you that right now," Dion added. "For me to reach you again, I have no choice but to concentrate on my health at this moment. I have hope that I'm on the road to recovery. This is my focus and I'm doing everything I can to recuperate."
The multi-time Grammy award-winning singer had been scheduled to begin the European leg of her "Courage World Tour" in Prague, Czech Republic, on February 24, 2023. That date has now been moved to March 6, 2024.
Other European dates in Poland, Switzerland, Croatia, Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom have also been moved back a year, according to Dion's website.
Various summer tour dates expected to take place between May and July next year have been canceled altogether.
Dion is tentatively scheduled to return to touring in August 2023, however, first performing at the Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, on August 26.