I’ll always love her singing…
In a revealing interview with Hoda Kotb, Canadian superstar Céline Dion discusses the severe impact her rare neurological condition, stiff person syndrome, has had on her singing abilities. This discussion, part of an upcoming primetime special on NBC, marks Dion’s first televised conversation since her 2022 announcement that she is battling the condition.
During the interview, which aired a snippet on TODAY on June 7, Dion vividly described the physical sensations of trying to sing with stiff person syndrome. “It’s like somebody is strangling you,” she explained. Dion elaborated, saying it feels as though someone is pressing on her larynx and pharynx, affecting her vocal range and causing her voice to spasm. She demonstrated the effect live, showcasing the significant strain the condition places on her vocal abilities.
Celine Dion with her Stiff Person Syndrome Battle: An NBC News Special with Hoda Kotb
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Dion first disclosed her diagnosis of stiff person syndrome in December 2022. The disorder, as explained by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, involves stiffness and intense muscle spasms in the torso and limbs. Dion recounted to Vogue in a May 23 interview that she began experiencing symptoms back in 2008 while on tour, noting a rapid loss of control over her voice.
The interview with Kotb delved deeper into how the syndrome has infiltrated every aspect of Dion’s life. Beyond affecting her singing, the muscle spasms and stiffness have spread to her hands and feet, complicating everyday activities like cooking—a passion of Dion’s. She described how certain movements can lock her feet and hands into painful positions, occasionally leading to severe injuries like broken ribs.
Celine Dion sat down with NBC’s Hoda Kotb for an interview about her stiff person syndrome diagnosis and new documentary.https://t.co/MZwjAsviUj
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This debilitating condition led Dion to cancel her Las Vegas residency in 2021 and her recent Courage World Tour. Despite extensive therapy, which she undergoes five days a week, the uncertainty surrounding her future in performing remains. In an April interview with Vogue France, Dion expressed her ongoing struggle with readiness and uncertainty about returning to the stage, highlighting the emotional and physical toll the syndrome has taken on her.
Céline Dion’s full interview with Hoda Kotb aired on June 11. Additionally, Dion’s journey and daily life coping with the condition will be showcased in the documentary “I Am: Celine Dion,” scheduled for release on Amazon Prime Video on June 25.
Key Points:
- Revealing Interview: Céline Dion discusses the significant impact of stiff person syndrome on her singing and daily life in a primetime special with Hoda Kotb on NBC.
- Symptoms Described: Dion describes the condition as feeling like being strangled, with severe muscle spasms that limit her ability to control her voice, demonstrating how the disorder affects her speech and singing.
- Diagnosis and Effects: Diagnosed in 2022, Dion first noticed symptoms in 2008. The condition causes stiffness and spasms in the torso and limbs, severely impacting her mobility and everyday activities like cooking.
- Impact on Performances: The neurological disorder forced Dion to cancel her Las Vegas residency in 2021 and her recent Courage World Tour due to the physical limitations it imposes.
- Uncertain Future: Despite undergoing therapy five days a week, Dion remains uncertain about her ability to perform again, expressing conflicting feelings about her readiness and future in the entertainment industry.
RM Tomi – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
