Celine Dion Cancels All Remaining Tour Dates: Condition Worsens
2023-05-27
In December of last year, Canadian singer Celine Dion announced her diagnosis of Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS), an incurable disease that eventually leads to the loss of walking ability due to the bending of the torso and stiffness of the limbs.
Despite hiring top medical teams, Dion has made no progress in her battle against the illness. On May 26th, after nearly six months of struggling, Celine Dion released an open letter apologizing to her fans and announcing the cancellation of all upcoming global tour dates.
This decision has taken a severe toll on Celine Dion both mentally and financially. She has expressed her determination to fight SPS, but acknowledges the immense difficulty. Delaying the shows indefinitely would be unfair to her fans, and although heartbreaking, cancelling them now is the best decision.
While some fans expressed disappointment and even accused Celine Dion of deceiving them for money, many others have shown understanding and sent their well wishes.
Dion stated that she will not give up and will return to the stage when she is ready.
In 2019, Celine Dion embarked on a world tour and had completed 52 shows before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Subsequently, she postponed her North American and European tours due to health issues. Now, the word 'postpone' has turned into 'cancel,' indicating a possible deterioration in the singer's condition.
Celine Dion's canceled global tour included dozens of shows in 24 countries and regions, including the United States, France, Belgium, Denmark, and the United Kingdom.
Stiff Person Syndrome is a rare and severe central nervous system disorder characterized by excessive muscle contractions and painful muscle spasms primarily affecting the torso and lower limbs. Currently, there is no cure for the condition, only methods to slow its progression.
Celine Dion's husband, René, battled cancer for 17 years, experiencing recurring bouts of the disease, which took a toll on Celine Dion's physical and mental well-being. One day after her husband's passing, her brother Daniel also succumbed to cancer.
These unfortunate events have left her in tears daily, and her body has gradually become frail and skeletal. At times, she even struggles to walk, causing discussions on social media platforms in Europe and America.