Celine Dion’s battle with incurable condition stiff-person syndrome and her fight to continue her career will be chronicled in new documentary, I Am: Celine Dion.
The hitmaker, 55, announced in December 2022 that she had been diagnosed with stiff-person syndrome – an extremely rare disorder that makes the muscles in the torso and limbs alternate between spasming and being rigid. She revealed she would be stepping away from performing.
The new documentary – captured over more than a year of filming – follows the star as she battles to continue her normal life and career amid her diagnosis – and vows the condition ‘won’t define her’ as she vows to raise awareness.
Dion said in a statement: ‘This last couple of years has been such a challenge for me, the journey from discovering my condition to learning how to live with and manage it, but not to let it define me.
‘As the road to resuming my performing career continues, I have realized how much I have missed it, of being able to see my fans.
Celine Dion’s battle with incurable condition stiff-person syndrome and her fight to continue her career will be chronicled in new documentary, I Am: Celine Dion
The hitmaker, 55, announced in December 2022 that she had been diagnosed with stiff-person syndrome and said she would be stepping away from performing (pictured 2015)
‘During this absence, I decided I wanted to document this part of my life, to try to raise awareness of this little-known condition, to help others who share this diagnosis.’
A synopsis reads: ‘From visiting her couture touring wardrobe and personal effects to spending time in the recording studio, the documentary captures a global megastar’s never-before-seen private life.
‘An emotional, energetic, and poetic love letter to music, I Am: Celine Dion captures more than a year of filming as the legendary singer navigates her journey toward living an open and authentic life amidst illness.’
Amazon MGM has landed the worldwide rights to the documentary with the film set to stream on Prime Video.
Irene Taylor directed the documentary made by Sony Music Vision, Sony Music Entertainment Canada and Vermilion Films.
‘I’ve been dealing with problems with my health for a long time and it’s been really difficult for me to face these challenges and to talk about everything that I’ve been going through,’ she said in an emotional video first announcing her condition.
Although she initially postponed her Courage World Tour until the spring of 2024, the Golden Globe winner made the decision to cancel it in May.
‘Even though it breaks my heart, it’s best that we cancel everything now until I’m really ready to be back on stage again,’ she told her loyal fans.
Sources say Celine is fighting to overcome her health battle
Amazon MGM has landed the worldwide rights to the documentary with the film set to stream on Prime Video
The determined artist appears to have kept her promise she made to keep working on her health. ‘I want you all to know, I’m not giving up … and I can’t wait to see you again!’ she said at the time.
Dion’s sister recently revealed the singer had lost control of her muscles due her condition.
‘Celine is a fighter,’ an insider told US Weekly. ‘She doesn’t have as much control over her muscles as she did before, but she’s working with doctors and physical therapists to get better.’
The source claimed, ‘Celine has been taking time to focus on her health but plans to take the stage again once she is given the go-ahead by her medical team.’
A second person in the know backs up those assertions.
‘She’s staying positive and upbeat and doing her physical therapy every day,’ the insider said.
‘Getting back on stage in some form is her constant dream, even if she can no longer sing; she just wants to see those shining faces.’
Celine’s condition, which is progressive and incurable, causes the body to attack its own nerve cells and severely impacts mobility; seen in 2019
Stiff-person syndrome is a ‘rare autoimmune neurological disorder that most commonly causes muscle stiffness and painful spasms that come and go and can worsen over time,’ according to John Hopkins Medicine.
The Grammy winner was last seen at a hockey game in Las Vegas with her twins Eddy and Nelson, 13 and oldest son Charles-Rene, 22, watching the Montreal Canadiens lose to the Golden Knights.
Celine shared her sons with late husband Rene Angelil.
‘My boys and I had such a fun time visiting with the Montreal Canadiens after their hockey game with Vegas Golden Knights in Las Vegas Monday night,’ the My Heart Will Go On singer posted November 1.
‘They played so well, what a game!! Thank you for meeting us after the game, guys! That was memorable for all of us. Have a great season! – Celine xx… ‘
The Power of Love artist announced last December that she had been diagnosed with stiff-person syndrome and would be stepping away from performing.
