Céline Dion ‘set to make comeback at 2024 Paris Olympics’ amid debilitating battle with Stiff Person Syndrome
Celine Dion is reportedly preparing to return to the stage for the first time since her 17-year battle with Stiff Person Syndrome.
The legendary singer, 56who documented her heartbreaking battle with the incurable stiff-person syndromeHer new documentary will be shown during the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
Celine previously promised that despite her suffering she would return to the stage, ‘even if she has to crawl for it’.
Céline sticks to her guns and prepares for her comeback performance in the French city.
Céline last performed live during her Courage world tour in Newark, New Jersey on March 8, 2020. She then canceled her tour due to the Covid pandemic.
Céline Dion, 56, is preparing to return to the stage for the first time since revealing her debilitating 17-year battle with Stiff Person Syndrome (pictured in 2018)
The legendary singer, who chronicled her heartbreaking battle with incurable stiffness syndrome in her new documentary, is expected to perform at the 2024 Paris Olympics
Variety The singer is rumored to be opening Friday’s ceremony, her first performance since stepping out of the spotlight.
She previously indicated that her expected comeback would be in Paris, in a recent interview with Vogue France.
She said: ‘I have chosen to work with my whole body and soul, from head to toe, with a medical team. I want to be the best I can be. My goal is to see the Eiffel Tower again!
‘For four years I’ve been telling myself I’m not going back, that I’m ready, that I’m not ready yet… The way things are now, I can’t stand here and say to you, ‘Yeah, in four months.
“I don’t know… My body will tell me.”
Celine looked cheerful as she arrived at her hotel in Paris on Tuesday in preparation for the Olympic Games.
Céline’s heartbreaking documentary I Am: Céline Dion was praised by critics after its release last month.
The poignant film, which took over a year to shoot, follows the star as she struggles to maintain a normal life and career after her diagnosis, and has a perfect 100 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Celine previously promised that despite her suffering she would return to the stage, ‘even if it means crawling’ (pictured in her documentary)
And Celine is sticking to her guns as she prepares for her comeback performance in the French city
The singer is rumored to open the ceremony on Friday, marking her first performance since stepping out of the spotlight (pictured in 2019)
Celine looked cheerful as she arrived at her hotel in Paris on Tuesday in preparation for the Olympic Games
Céline announced in December 2022 that she had been diagnosed with an extremely rare condition in which the muscles in the trunk and limbs alternately spastic and stiff.
Time Critic Rich Juzwiak called the film “the opposite of a vanity project” and praised Dion for her openness — including the inclusion of a difficult moment in which she struggles to sing Foreigner’s “I Want To Know What Love Is” because of the condition that causes chest stiffness.
The review reads: ‘In a way, I Am: Celine Dion is a meditation on aging and what happens to stars whose abilities diminish with age, rare diagnosis or not. As tragic and debilitating as it is, Dion’s condition gives her a reason to express a lot of feelings that many stars are never willing to acknowledge.
‘Nobody wants to talk about what it means to be past your prime, but SPS forces Dion to think about it.’
New York TimesChris Azzopardi praised Dion for allowing “raw imagery” into the film and for dealing with her condition with humor.
In one of those scenes, Dion is seen having a ten-minute spasm as she cries in grief and is given painkillers.
‘Dion’s spontaneously expressive personality shines through her pain in raw images that feel more connected to her healing journey, like when her physical therapist nags her about a cream she didn’t put on her feet. “Give me a break,” she says with playful exasperation.
“These uncomfortable segments dilute the powerful emotional atmosphere of watching Dion rise above her circumstances. Especially when she lets the cameras linger, delivering some of the most grim health-related scenes I’ve ever seen from a superstar on screen.”
The film’s synopsis reads: ‘From a visit to her couture tour wardrobe and her personal belongings to spending time in the recording studio, the documentary captures the never-before-seen private life of a global megastar.
‘I Am: Celine Dion is an emotional, energetic and poetic love letter to music. It captures over a year of recordings as the legendary singer pursues her journey to live an open and authentic life in the midst of her illness.’
Amazon MGM acquired worldwide rights to the documentary and the film is streaming on Prime Video.
Irene Taylor directed the documentary produced by Sony Music Vision, Sony Music Entertainment Canada and Vermilion Films.
“I have been struggling with health issues for a long time and it is very difficult for me to face these challenges and talk about everything I have been through,” she said in an emotional video announcing her condition for the first time.
Although she initially postponed her Courage World Tour until spring 2024, the Golden Globe winner decided to cancel it in May.
“Although it breaks my heart, it’s best that we cancel everything now until I’m truly ready to get back on stage,” she told her loyal fans.
The determined artist appears to be making good on her promise to continue working on her health. “I want you all to know that I am not giving up… and I can’t wait to see you again!” she said at the time.
Celine’s condition has affected her trademark singing skills and she has stopped performing while she works on her health (2015 photo)
She announced her diagnosis in 2022 and previously said it can cause spasms so severe they can break ribs and feel like a chokehold on the throat (2019 photo)
Celine’s sister recently revealed that the singer had lost control of her muscles due to her condition.
“Celine is a fighter,” an insider told US Weekly. “She doesn’t have as much control over her muscles as she used to, but she’s working with doctors and physical therapists to get better.”
The source claimed: ‘Celine has been taking time off to focus on her health, but she plans to return to the stage as soon as she gets the green light from her medical team.’
Another insider confirmed the comments.
“She remains positive and cheerful and continues to attend physical therapy every day,” the insider said.
“It is her big dream to be back on stage, in whatever way, even if she can’t sing anymore. She just wants to see those beaming faces.”
According to John Hopkins Medicine, stiff person syndrome is a “rare autoimmune neurological disorder that typically causes muscle stiffness and painful spasms that come and go and may worsen over time.”
