Celine Dion fans around the world rejoiced last night as the Canadian singer made a surprise appearance onstage at the Grammy Awards to present Taylor Swift with her Album of the Year Award.
Looking chic as ever in a nude chiffon gown with a plunging neckline and tied at the waist, paired with a structured mustard coat and statement jewellery, fans who had been concerned for her wellbeing as she battles ‘stiff person syndrome’ were thrilled to see the 55-year-old in public for the first time in months.
The Montreal-born singer, who is lauded for her sensational vocals as she belts out the ballads, announced in 2022 she was suffering from the degenerative disorder, which is called Moersch-Woltman Syndrome by medical professionals, after speculation about her health mounted following concert postponements.
Speaking in an emotional video message to her fans, she revealed she had been struggling with her health for a long time, but had finally been given a diagnosis of the neurological condition which affects one in a million people.
The horrific diagnosis marked yet more heartbreak for the Taking Chances singer, who had been widowed eight years earlier after her husband of 22 years René Angélil, with whom she shares three sons, died of throat cancer in 2016. Two days later, her brother Daniel Dion died.
Celine Dion, 55, delighted fans last night as she appeared onstage at the Grammys to present Taylor Swift with an Album of the Year Award, following several years out of the spotlight
In the video, posted on Instagram in December 2022, she said: ‘While we’re still learning about this rare condition, we now know this is what’s been causing all the [muscle] spasms I’ve been having.’
Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS) is a degenerative condition that causes muscles to tense and spasm uncontrollably. Ultimately, it leaves sufferers resembling ‘human statues as it progressively locks the body, leaving people unable to walk or talk.
Currently, there is no cure for SPS, but there are steps that can be taken to slow down symptoms – something Celine revealed she is exploring.
As she explained her diagnosis to her followers, Celine said: ‘Unfortunately, these spasms affect every aspect of my daily life, sometimes causing difficulties when I walk and not allowing me to use my vocal cords to sing the way I’m used to.’
The Montreal-born singer revealed in an emotional video message posted on Instagram in 2022 that she has been diagnosed with a degenerative neurological condition known as ‘stiff person syndrome’
She added she would not be able to restart her European tour the following February due to her symptoms.
‘I have a great team of doctors working alongside me to help me get better and my precious children who are supporting me and giving me help,’ she continued.
‘I’m working hard with my sports medicine therapist every day to build bac my strength and my ability to perform again but I have to admit it’s been a struggle.
‘All I know is singing; it’s what I’ve done all my life and its what I love to do the most.
‘I miss you so much. I miss seeing all of you being on the stage performing for you.
‘I always give 100 percent when I do my show but my condition is now allowing me to give you that right now.
‘For me to reach you again, I have no choice but to concentrate on my health at this moment, and I have hope that I’m on the road to recovery.
In November, Celine made her first public appearance for nearly three years as she attended an ice hockey game with her three sons Rene-Charles, 23, and twins Eddy and Nelson, 13
The singer last performed in London at Hyde Park’s British Summer Time in July 2019
The singer’s diagnosis was yet more heartbreak after her husband of 22 years Rene Angelil (pictured) died of throat cancer in 2016
‘This is my focus, and I’m doing everything I can to recuperate.
‘I want to thank you so much for your wishes and love and support on my social media. This means a lot to me.
‘Take care of yourselves. Be well. I love you guys so much and I really hope I can see you again real soon.’
Her candid video came after months of worried speculation from fans after she cancelled North American dates of her Courage world tour at the beginning of 2022.
Three months before she revealed her diagnosis, she cancelled her Las Vegas comeback residency over the same health issue.
Since she shared her health battle with her fans, Celine has kept a low profile. However sources have previously revealed the ups and downs she has experienced as she undergoes treatment for SPS.
Last December, a source 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.’
They added: ‘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.’
However the Montreal-born singer’s sister Claudette revealed that same month that the singer no longer has ‘control over her muscles’.
Speaking to French publication 7 Jours, she said: ‘She’s working hard, but she doesn’t have control over her muscles. What breaks my heart is that she’s always been disciplined.
‘She’s always worked hard. Our mother always told her, ‘You’re going to do it well, you’re going to do it properly.’
She continued: ‘It’s true that in both our dreams and hers, the goal is to return to the stage. In what capacity? I don’t know.’
Speaking about her sister’s ability to sing, Claudette noted that SPS is a condition which affects muscles – and the vocal cords are muscles.
The 74-year-old added she feels frustrated that there is no cure for her sister’s condition because it’s so rare – meaning less research has been conducted about it.
A few months earlier, Claudette told Le Journal de Montreal that Celine was working with ‘the top researchers in the world’ – but had still seen little improvement in her health.
She said: ‘We can’t find any medicine that works, but having hope is important.’
After battling her illness behind the scenes, Celine made her first public appearance in nearly three years last November when she attended an ice hockey game with her three sons Rene-Charles, 23, and twins Eddy and Nelson, 13.
In footage posted online, Celine looked to be in great spirits as she greeted players and fans in the locker rooms after the match.
‘It’s such an honor to meet you,’ Celine told coach Martin St. Louis in French in another video. ‘It was an incredible night.’
She was also heard giving advice to the hockey players, saying, ‘Just stay healthy, strong. Do what you do best.’
A week later, she was spotted out in LA at a Katy Perry concert where she was sat in the VIP section just behind two very famous faces – Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
She appeared once again to be sitting with Rene-Charles in the VIP box, suggesting he is a strong support to his mother.
Celine and her three sons have no doubt been a strong support system for each other since the death of her husband and the boys’ father René in 2016.
The music mogul, who had been her manager throughout her career, died in January of that year after a throat cancer diagnosis. Tragically, Celine’s brother Daniel passed away just two days later from a brain tumour.
In September 2019, she said on Today that she wasn’t ready to meet anyone new after losing her husband to throat cancer.
‘I don’t date. I’m not ready to date,’ she admitted. ‘I’m very lucky and happy to have so many people in my surrounding to make me — they make me laugh.’
As she appeared onstage at the Grammys last night to present Taylor Swift with her history-making fourth Album of the Year Award, she delighted fans who were thrilled to have a glimpse of their favourite star.
She arrived on stage with the help of Rene-Charles to present the award – leaving fans overwhelmed with emotion.
Taking to X/Twitter, people praised her resilience and bravery, expressing their joy that she was back on their screens.
One person wrote: ‘Celine Dion got the whole room in tears right now. This legend, this queen. My goodness.’