Celine Dion has shared her deeply personal and emotional journey with stiff person syndrome (SPS) in an exclusive interview for Sunrise.
The 56-year-old singer revealed that her sons Nelson, Eddy and Rene-Charles were worried she is going to die in a new promotional video for the anticipated interview.
Diagnosed nearly two years ago, Dion’s struggle with this rare and debilitating neurological disorder has been a closely guarded secret, until now.
In a preview Celine Dion opened up to Sunrise correspondent Mylee Hogan about the profound impact SPS has had on her life and her family.
‘I don’t have my mum, I don’t have my dad,’ Dion said, her voice trembling with emotion.
‘My kids are scared because they lost their dad, and they’re wondering if I’m going to die. I don’t want to die, I don’t want to lie.’
Celine Dion revealed that her health problems began with mysterious symptoms that left her and her children in a state of constant worry.
‘I got scared,’ she admitted. ‘It can be life-threatening. What’s going to happen?’
Celine Dion was officially diagnosed with the degenerative disease in December 2022, a revelation that has undoubtedly transformed her life and career.
Despite the overwhelming challenges, Dion also spoke about the support she’s received from friends, including Australian music legend John Farnham.
‘I will never forget the gift that he gave me,’ she said.
The first trailer for the new Celine Dion documentary I Am: Celine Dion dropped on Thursday morning, offering a heartbreaking glimpse inside the singer’s brutal battle with stiff person syndrome.
As the music star – who attended a Rolling Stones concert recently – speaks in the trailer, another voice is heard repeating Celine’s name over and over while a 911 operator asks, ‘What’s your emergency?’
It was not made clear why 911 was called, but it was likely during Dion’s struggle with stiff person syndrome.
Stiff-person syndrome (SPS), also known as stiff-man syndrome, is a rare neurological disorder that causes progressive muscle stiffness and spasms.
The spasms can be painful and come and go, and they can worsen over time. The stiffness usually affects the torso muscles, but can also affect the arms and legs.
The trailer offers viewers just a tease of the upcoming documentary.
In it, the Canadian admits she was reluctant to share too much about her recent struggles, however she does reveal how limited she is during her workouts.