Celine Dion Gets Candid About Stiff-Person Syndrome & Paris Comeback: “I’m Alive”

Celine Dion is pressing forward after a health battle that threatened to permanently silence one of music’s most celebrated voices.

Covering the September ICONS issue of ‘Harper’s BAZAAR,’ the 58-year-old opens up about living with Stiff-Person Syndrome, the difficult years before receiving answers, and the long road back to the stage.

And with her Paris concert comeback rapidly approaching, the songbird is reflecting on what it means to finally reconnect with the fans who have stood by her.

Full story below…

Celine Dion on Living With Stiff-Person Syndrome

Dion’s diagnosis arrived in 2022, but the superstar reveals that she had been experiencing symptoms for around 17 years beforehand. At their worst, the spasms and stiffness left her struggling to walk, sing, and function normally.

Speaking about the rare neurological condition, she said:

“It is a progressive condition. I don’t like to say ‘disease.’ Disease makes you go like this… ‘Kevin, you’re such a disease.'”

The powerhouse has undergone an intensive rehabilitation process since receiving her diagnosis, including new medication, physical and vocal therapy, and immunotherapy.

That work continues as she prepares for the demands of performing again. Dion now undertakes 90-minute Pilates sessions three times a week, alongside ballet classes on two additional days.

Of course, fans received an unfiltered look at just how severe the battle became in her acclaimed 2024 documentary ‘I Am: Celine Dion.’ The intensely personal film captured moments of pain and physical crisis that the star had previously endured away from public view.

For Dion, letting cameras into such vulnerable moments was ultimately about being open with those who have supported her throughout her career.

“They paid for tickets. They bought my records. They gave me that luxury. So the least I can do is tell them that I’m alive.”

Back to the Stage, Back to the Fans

That bond with her fans is very much driving the icon’s next chapter.

After making an unforgettable return at the Paris Olympics, Dion will head back to the French capital this fall for her first extended run of concerts since Stiff-Person Syndrome forced her away from touring.

Demand has already proven huge, with the comeback subsequently extended into 2027.

“It’s been so long, I would like to offer them something to show how I’ve missed them.”

The years away also changed how Dion viewed herself outside the constant cycle of records, rehearsals, and shows. During her time out of the spotlight, she found comfort in nature and began using the image of a tree to describe her relationship with fans.

“I was trying to tell them, I’m sorry, I don’t have any apples to give you anymore… but we did not come for the apples; we came for the tree.”

Now, the diva is firmly stepping back into the spotlight.

Her forthcoming shows follow a gradual comeback that has included the Olympics performance, new music, and an increasingly visible return to public life after years of uncertainty.

And after everything it has taken to get here, Dion appears ready to make every moment of her return count.

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[Photos: Robin Galiegue / Harper’s BAZAAR]