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Superstar singer, Celine Dion, has revealed plans to return to live performances following an extended hiatus caused by a rare medical condition, describing the announcement made on her birthday as “the best gift.”
In a video shared with fans on social media Monday, the 58-year-old Canadian performer said her health has improved and confirmed she will headline a run of shows in Paris starting in September.
“This year, I’m getting the best birthday gift of my life. I’m getting the chance to see you, to perform for you once again,” she said.
“I want to let you know that I’m doing great, managing my health, feeling good.”
The singer first went public in December 2022 with her diagnosis of Stiff Person Syndrome, a rare and incurable autoimmune condition that forced her to cancel scheduled performances indefinitely.
Although there is no cure, treatment options can help ease symptoms such as severe muscle stiffness affecting the torso and limbs.
Her journey with the illness was documented in the 2024 film I Am: Celine Dion, which offered a personal glimpse into her career and the physical toll of the disorder, including a seizure she experienced.
Despite her diagnosis, Dion has consistently expressed determination to return to performing.
“I’m not dead,” the singer said in 2024 during a red carpet interview ahead of the documentary’s premiere.
Later that same year, she made a high-profile appearance during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, delivering a performance from the Eiffel Tower as athletes paraded along the river in heavy rain.
Dion first gained international recognition in 1988 when she represented Switzerland at the Eurovision Song Contest in Dublin, winning the competition at age 20 with “Ne partez pas sans moi.”
Her career soon expanded into English-language music with the release of “Where Does My Heart Beat Now,” marking the beginning of her rise to global superstardom.
Over the decades, she has sold more than 260 million albums and earned five Grammy Awards, including two for her iconic ballad from the film Titanic, “My Heart Will Go On.”
Speaking to fans on Monday, Dion expressed gratitude for the support she received throughout her time away from the stage.
“Even in my most difficult times, you were there for me. You’ve helped me in ways that I can’t even describe, and I’m truly so fortunate to have your support,” she said, adding that she is now “singing again, even doing a little bit of dancing.”
Dion is scheduled to perform 10 shows over five weeks at the Paris La Defense Arena, with the series set to begin on September 12.
