Singer posted a video in December 2022 saying she had recently been diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome.
Pop icon Celine Dion has canceled all remaining shows scheduled for 2023-24, saying she is not physically strong enough to tour as she battles a rare neurological disorder.
Last year, the 55-year-old Canadian revealed that her condition – Stiff Man Syndrome – was affecting her singing.
“I’m so sorry to disappoint you all again… As much as this breaks my heart, it’s best we cancel everything until I’m really ready to get back on stage,” Dion tweeted.
“I’m not giving up…I can’t wait to see you again!” she added.
A statement released by her tour said: “It is with great disappointment that Celine Dion’s Courage World Tour announces today the cancellation of all remaining dates currently on sale for 2023 and 2024.”
Hope you recover soon. I saw your concert in 2017 and it was one of the best days of my life! Dreams come true, really. I look forward to seeing you again on stage. Until then, please continue to take care of yourself.
— Maria Fernanda (@mfjabbur) May 26, 2023
One of the top female singers, Dion has an octave voice and is the author of hits like “Because You Loved Me, My Heart Goes On” and “Think Twice Before You Act.”
In December 2022, she posted a tearful video on Instagram stating that she had recently been diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome and would not be able to start her European tour in February as planned.
She said the disease caused muscle spasms and “not allowed me to use my vocal cords to sing the way I was used to”.
Patients typically experience muscle stiffness in the trunk, arms, and legs, and noise or emotional distress can trigger the spasms.
The cancellation will affect her two 16-country European tours, which were due to begin in Amsterdam in August and conclude at the O2 Arena in London next April.
Her Courage World Tour began in 2019 with Dion completing 52 shows before pausing the rest due to the coronavirus pandemic. She later canceled the North American portion of the tour due to health concerns.
Fans online expressed disappointment but wished Dion the best.
Love, peace, strength and healing to you. We like you just the way you are. ❤️
— Mara Dolan (@MaraDolan) May 26, 2023
“It’s not surprising, but just as sad. Courage to you Celine, we are with you,” wrote one fan message account @LesRedHeads.
“You don’t have to apologize to the Queen! Take care of yourself. Your health should come first,” wrote @notaerz.
Dion, the youngest of 14 children, was born in Quebec, Canada, and at age 12 her mother sent her recordings to Angelil, who mortgaged her house to finance her first album. She started singing in French, but started yelling in English after taking English classes in the 1980s.
She gained worldwide fame in 1997 with “My Heart Will Go On,” the theme song to James Cameron’s hugely popular film Titanic.
She translated this success into a regular gig at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, playing to audiences day and night for 16 years with only a few breaks.
