LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 04: Céline Dion attends the 66th GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Arena on February 04, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)
Celine Dion is bravely sharing her journey with stiff person syndrome.
In an exclusive interview with TODAY’s Hoda Kotb, the iconic singer candidly discusses her life and health following her diagnosis of stiff person syndrome. According to PEOPLE, Celine also discussed with Hoda Kotb how the condition has impacted her voice.
“It’s like somebody is strangling you. It’s like somebody is pushing your larynx/pharynx,” she said, raising her voice to demonstrate the effect. “It was like talking like that, and you cannot go high or lower.”
The legendary musician continued to mention that the stiffness can sometimes feel like it’s locked in place.
“It feels like, if I point my feet, they will stay in that position. It’s cramping but it’s like in a position where you cannot unlock them. I have broken ribs at one point because sometimes when its very severe, it can break.”
Celine’s sit-down interview with Hoda Kotb comes weeks before the debut of her Prime Video documentary, ‘I Am: Celine Dion.’
The film will depict the journey of the five-time Grammy Award winner as she deals with her rare disorder and strives to return to the stage. ‘I Am: Celine Dion’ officially premieres on Prime Video on June 25.
Instagram user @f3tish wrote, “How horrific! She never deserved this.”
Instagram user @livelovelisaa wrote, “Hate that she’s going through that, prayers up.”
Then Instagram user @emerson2is wrote, “Damn this should be a reminder to thank the lord and savior for our health! It’s not a joke.”
While Instagram user @theleighnasimone wrote, “Any restrictions your body randomly gives you is scary…I know that is difficult to live with…Praying for her strength.”
Instagram user @lai.michelle1 wrote, “That can be extremely debilitating I’m happy she’s advocating for her condition.”
Finally Instagram user @sonyae wrote, “My God pls heal her.”
Celine Dion initially noticed symptoms of the disorder, characterized by severe muscle spams, during her ‘Taking Chances World Tour’ in 2008. However, she chose not to disclose her diagnosis until December 2022, when she made an announcement on Instagram, explaining the postponement of several performances.
While wrestling with her diagnosis, Celine was also trying to process her own emotions around the condition. Eventually, she realized she had to tell her fans the truth.
“I could not do this anymore. Lying for me, the burden was too much. Lying to the people who got me where I am today, I could not do it anymore.”
