In an exclusive interview set to air on Tuesday, June 11, Céline Dion speaks out about the profound effects of stiff-person syndrome on her body.
The renowned singer, 56, discussed her battle with the condition during a conversation with NBC News’ Hoda Kotb. This marks her first televised discussion about her health since disclosing her diagnosis back in 2022.
During a preview segment aired on the Today show Friday, June 7, Dion vividly described the sensation caused by the syndrome, likening it to someone constricting her throat.
“It’s like somebody is strangling you. It’s like somebody is pushing your larynx/pharynx,” she expressed, using her voice to illustrate the struggle. “It was like talking like that, and you cannot go high or lower.”
She elaborated further on the spasms, noting how they can affect various parts of her body.
“It gets into a spasm,” she explained. “It started [in the throat]. [And I thought], ‘No, okay, it’s gonna be fine.’ But it can also be the abdominal, can be in the spine, can be in the ribs.”
Dion highlighted the severity of the stiffness, likening it to being locked in position. “It feels like, if I point my feet, they will stay in [that position],” she shared. “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.”
The singer revealed the extent of the syndrome’s impact, disclosing that it had led to broken ribs at one point due to the intensity of the spasms.
“I have broken ribs at one point because sometimes when its very severe, it can break,” she said.
Stiff-person syndrome, a rare and incurable neurological disease, has forced Dion to cancel all upcoming performances since her diagnosis announcement in December 2022. The condition, which affects the central nervous system, has left Dion grappling with debilitating muscle spasms, hindering her ability to sing and perform.
As Dion stated upon revealing her diagnosis, “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 interview sheds light on the challenges Dion has faced, emphasizing the severity of the condition and its impact on her career and daily life.
Dion’s conversation with Kotb airs in full on Tuesday, June 11, at 10 p.m. ET on NBC.
