Céline Dion is giving fans an honest update about her daily life with stiff-person syndrome. 

In a recent Harper’s BAZAAR cover story, the 58-year-old singer shared that she started noticing symptoms, including muscle stiffness and spasms, 17 years ago. She wasn’t officially diagnosed until 2022. 

What Is Stiff-Person Syndrome? 

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), stiff-person syndrome is a progressive neurological and autoimmune disease that affects the brain and spinal cord. 


The disorder causes severe muscle stiffness in the torso, arms, and legs. Patients also suffer from heightened sensitivity to touch, emotional distress, and sudden noises, all of which can trigger paralyzing muscle spasms. 

Stiff-person syndrome affects approximately one to two people out of a million and is frequently misdiagnosed. 

An Intensive Daily Regimen 

Instead of hiding from the physical challenges, Dion is actively treating her symptoms so she can return to performing. She told the publication that her current symptom management routine involves a mix of new medication, immunotherapy, and physical and vocal therapy. To keep her body moving, she also takes ballet classes and does Pilates three times a week.

Dion said she wants her fans to see her as an “open book” and isn’t afraid of talking about what goes on behind closed doors. 

“I’m honest, and it’s not always pretty,” she said. “Sometimes it’s happy things, sometimes it’s sad, but it’s called life. Instead of questioning life, can you live life? So I’m living my life, girl. I’m living the life.”

Changing the Narrative 

Part of living that life means changing how she talks about the diagnosis. During the interview, she made a point of correcting the phrasing around her condition. 

“It is a progressive condition. I don’t like to say ‘disease.’ Disease makes you go like this,” she told Harper’s BAZAAR, reportedly scrunching her nose before adding, “‘Kevin, you’re such a disease.’ ”

All of this hard work is leading up to her highly anticipated Paris concert residency. After taking the stage at the Paris Olympics this summer, she called the upcoming shows the best 58th-birthday present to herself. 

“This year, I’m getting the best birthday gift of my life,” she said. “I’m getting the chance to see you, to perform for you.”

Dion wants to step back into the spotlight as a direct “thank you” to the people who supported her throughout her decades-long career. 

“They paid for tickets. They bought my records. They gave me that luxury,” she said. “So the least I can do is tell them that I’m alive.”



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