Celine Dion Reveals Struggles with Stiff-Person Syndrome in Exclusive Interview Previewed on ‘Today’
Celine Dion, the renowned five-time Grammy winner, has offered her first televised interview since receiving the diagnosis of stiff-person syndrome in 2022, shedding light on her battle with the condition.
In a preview aired on the Today show, Dion discussed her condition with NBC News’ Hoda Kotb. She described the sensation of stiff-person syndrome, likening it to feeling as if someone were constricting her throat.
“It’s like someone is strangling you. It’s like somebody is pushing your larynx/pharynx,” she explained, momentarily altering her voice to demonstrate the impact. “It was like talking like that, and you cannot go high or lower.”
She elaborated on how the spasms associated with the condition can affect various parts of the body, from the throat to the abdomen, spine, and ribs.
“It gets into a spasm,” Dion continued. “It started [in the throat]. [And I thought], ‘No, OK, it’s gonna be fine.’ But it can also be the abdominal, can be in the spine, can be in the ribs.”
Dion described the sensation as if certain parts of her body were immobilized, comparing it to feeling as though her feet or hands were stuck in a particular position.
“It feels like, if I point my feet, they will stay in [that position],” she said. “Or, if I cook — because I love to cook — my fingers, my hands, will get in position… It’s cramping. But it’s like in a position where you cannot unlock them.”
Stiff-person syndrome is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by muscle stiffness and spasms, with no known cure. Dion’s diagnosis led her to cancel scheduled performances due to the impact of the condition on her daily life.
“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,” she stated.
Reflecting on her lifelong passion for singing, Dion expressed her love for music, emphasizing that it has been a central part of her identity and purpose.
“All I know is singing,” she remarked. “It’s what I’ve done all my life. And it’s what I love to do the most.”
Discussing the interview, Hoda Kotb shared insights with co-host Jenna Bush on Today, revealing Dion’s journey through the challenging times she faced, including moments where her life was at risk.
“[Celine] is now much better, but at some point she almost died, which is something that she says. It was a scary time, and she’s dealing with this,” Kotb disclosed.
The full conversation between Dion and Kotb will air on Tuesday, June 11, at 10 p.m. ET on NBC, providing viewers with a deeper understanding of Dion’s experiences and resilience in the face of adversity.
