{
  "id": 1960473,
  "title": "Céline Dion Is Determined To Fight On Amid 17-Year Battle With Stiff-Person Syndrome Ahead of Return to Stage in Paris: ‘I’m Living the Life’",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/19/celine-dion-is-determined-to-fight-on-amid-17-year-battle-with-stiff",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-19T14:57:53.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Billboard",
    "slug": "billboard",
    "url": "https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/celine-dion-determined-fight-stiff-person-syndrome-paris-shows-1236319802/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Céline Dion, the renowned singer at 58 years old, is preparing to make a triumphant return to the stage after a 17-year battle with the rare neurological disorder Stiff-Person Syndrome. In an emotional profile published in Harper's Bazaar magazine, Dion details her struggles and determination to continue performing despite the condition's debilitating effects. She revealed that she has only performed once in the past six years, delivering a powerful rendition of Édith Piaf's \"Hymne A L'Amour\" at the 2024 Paris Olympics. To prepare for her upcoming shows at Paris' La Défense Arena, Dion has been incorporating Pilates, ballet classes, and physical therapy into her daily routine, pushing her body through intense pain and constant motion to manage the condition. She emphasizes that it is a progressive condition, likening it to disease and urging herself to \"live life, girl.\" The singer has been proactive in addressing her condition, undergoing various treatments and donating $2 million for research into autoimmune neurological disorders through her foundation. Despite facing skepticism from fans during her absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Dion broke her silence in a 2024 documentary and an NBC special, revealing that she took near-lethal doses of Valium to cope with anxiety, seizures, and muscle spasms. Fans can anticipate a \"grandiose\" show from Dion, showcasing her versatility as a vocalist and her ability to transition from intimate to powerful performances, said Annie Horth, the head of wardrobe and creative adviser for the singer.",
  "summary": "\"They paid for tickets. They bought my records. They gave me that luxury,\" she told Harper's Bazaar about her devoted fans. \"So the least I can do is tell them I'm alive.\"",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}