Celine Dion Says Stiff-Person Syndrome Once Left Her Barely Able to Walk

Celine Dion is showing fans what life has been like since she was diagnosed with stiff-person syndrome, a rare neurological condition that has dramatically affected her ability to walk, move and sing.

The “My Heart Will Go On” singer opened up about her health in a new Harper’s Bazaar cover story, marking another high-profile appearance after years largely away from the public eye.

Dion was diagnosed with stiff-person syndrome in 2022. The condition is rare and has no known cure. It causes severe muscle stiffness and painful spasms that can become increasingly difficult to manage.

At the worst points of her illness, Dion said the pain and stiffness became so severe that she could barely walk. She also described needing a high dose of Valium, a medication that can be used to treat muscle spasms, seizures and anxiety.

Despite the challenges, Dion said she does not want the condition to define her.

“It is a progressive condition. I don’t like to say ‘disease,’” she told Harper’s Bazaar, explaining that the word feels too limiting to her.

Signs that Dion was struggling with her health became increasingly visible in 2021. That October, she canceled a planned Las Vegas residency because of medical issues.

“I have to focus on getting better,” she said at the time. “I want to get through this as soon as I can.”

A few months later, in January 2022, Dion canceled the remaining dates of her North American tour. She said severe and persistent muscle spasms had made performing too difficult.

In December of that year, she publicly revealed her diagnosis.

Dion explained that the spasms affected nearly every part of her daily life. At times, they made it difficult for her to walk and affected her vocal cords, preventing her from singing as she had before.

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, stiff-person syndrome commonly causes muscle stiffness and painful spasms. The condition can also lead to problems such as an unsteady gait, double vision and slurred speech.

Dion has gradually begun returning to the spotlight. Her health journey was documented in the 2024 film “I Am: Celine Dion,” which gave fans a close look at her efforts to manage the condition while continuing to pursue music.

She has also announced plans to return to the stage in Paris. Her comeback residency at La Défense Arena is scheduled to run from September 12 through October 17.

For Dion, the return is not simply about performing again. It is also a public statement that, despite a rare and challenging condition, she intends to keep moving forward on her own terms.