Celine Dion cancels tour due to rare neurological condition

Celine Dion, the iconic Canadian singer, has announced that she has cancelled her Courage World Tour dates through 2024 due to complications from a rare neurological condition called stiff-person syndrome.

Dion revealed her diagnosis in December 2022, after postponing several performances in Europe. She said the condition causes her muscles to spasm uncontrollably, affecting her mobility and her ability to sing.

"While we’re still learning about this rare condition, we now know this is what’s been causing all of the spasms that I’ve been having. 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 singer said in an Instagram video⁶.

Stiff-person syndrome is characterized by muscle rigidity and spasms, heightened sensitivity to stimuli such as sound and lights, and emotional distress that can trigger muscle spasms, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke⁴. The condition affects roughly one or two out of every million people and has no known cure.

Dion has been undergoing daily physical therapy, but a source close to her told CNN that "she is in a lot of pain" and that "it is uncertain if she will perform again"⁵. The singer expressed her sorrow for disappointing her fans and said she was not giving up on her recovery.

"I’m so sorry to disappoint all of you once again. I’m working really hard to build back my strength, but touring can be very difficult even when you’re 100%. It’s not fair to you to keep postponing the shows, and 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. I want you all to know, I’m not giving up… and I can’t wait to see you again!" Dion said in a statement posted on her social media account on Friday¹.

Dion is one of the best-selling artists of all time, with more than 250 million albums sold worldwide. She is known for her powerful vocals and her hit songs such as "My Heart Will Go On", "The Power of Love" and "Because You Loved Me". She has won five Grammy Awards, two Academy Awards, and numerous other accolades. She has also been a philanthropist and a humanitarian, supporting various causes such as children's rights, education, and health. Her fans and fellow celebrities have been sending her messages of support and love, hoping that she will overcome this challenging health battle..