Celine Dion recently revealed she very nearly lost her life amid her battle with stiff person syndrome.
The 56-year-old singer Celine Dion is doing ‘much better’ now but ‘almost died’ at one point, Hoda Kotb shared while teasing an upcoming episode of Today With Hoda & Jenna on Thursday.
Reflecting on what she learned from Dion during their interview, Kotb, 59, added: ‘It was a scary time.’
Earlier in the day, the trailer for the vocalist’s upcoming documentary was released and brought fans to tears as they watched Dion open up about her heartbreaking battle with stiff person syndrome.
And just weeks earlier, Dion said she was ‘determined’ to get back to performing on stage and singing again which Kotb said she had the privilege of hearing during their candid conversation, adding that she sounded ‘incredible.’
According to the Cleveland Clinic, stiff person syndrome is a rare autoimmune neurological disorder that causes muscle stiffness and painful spasms.
Dion revealed she was diagnosed with the disorder nearly two years ago.
‘She was diagnosed with a terrible disease, and at one point, she wondered if she was going to make it, whether she was going to live through it,’ Kotb shared.
‘A lot of people are wondering what happened [and] what was wrong,’ she added.
Kotb also revealed that Dion told her about how the disorder affected her voice and touched on the ‘possibility of a comeback.’
‘We’ve missed her and it was a very emotional interview,’ she recalled.
‘We’ll see where she is on her journey of coming back, but I know people are cheering her on.’
Dion’s appearance on Today with Hoda & Jenna will air during the upcoming June 11 episode.
Earlier on the same day, Amazon Prime released an emotional, raw trailer for the singer’s upcoming documentary I Am: Celine Dion.
In the clip, Dion broke down into tears as she admitted that the degenerative disease has affected her ability to perform.
Towards the end of the trailer, Dion promised her fans that she will do anything to save her voice, which she called ‘the conductor of my life.’
‘When your voice brings you joy, you’re the best of yourself,’ she said. ‘I need my instrument.
‘I’ve been diagnosed with a very rare neurological disorder and I wasn’t ready to say anything before, but I’m ready now,’ she added. ‘I see my life and i love every piece of it.’
About the possibility of a comeback, she said: ‘I’m working hard every day, but I have to admit it’s a struggle. I miss it so much. The people… I miss them.
At the end of the trailer, Dion stated: ‘If I can’t run I’ll walk. If I can’t walk, I’ll crawl. But I won’t stop, she won’t stop.’
I Am: Celine Dion will premiere on Amazon Prime and be available to stream on June 25.