In a new profile for Harper’s Bazaar, Céline Dion opens up about her rigorous physical recovery, her upcoming return to the stage, and the deeply personal journey that led her to break her silence regarding her health. Written by Kevin Mguyen, the cover story offers a rare look at the singer’s daily life as she prepares for a multi-week residency in Paris, which marks her first extended run of shows since suspending her world tour in 2023.
Mainly, Dion opens up on her long struggle with Stiff-Person Syndrome (SPS), a rare autoimmune neurological condition that causes severe muscle rigidity and painful spasms. Although officially diagnosed in 2022, Dion reveals she experienced debilitating symptoms for 17 years prior, often citing routine illnesses like sinus infections when forced to cancel performances.
To manage the condition and regain her mobility, Dion explains she follows an intensive rehabilitation regimen, including immunotherapy, vocal therapy, and five days of physical training per week divided between Pilates and ballet. Through her foundation, she also donated $2 million to fund research into autoimmune neurological disorders, aiming to advance treatments for a condition that currently lacks FDA-approved therapies.
Ever the hometown queen, Dion’s upbringing in Québec informs both her public persona and her career longevity. Raised as the youngest of 14 children in a low-income household in Charlemagne, Québec, Dion’s earliest performances took place at her father’s local piano bar, where her family managed operations and her mother prepped food in the back. Despite her global fame, Dion maintains strong ties to her roots, choosing to speak exclusively French with her three sons and crediting her Québecois upbringing for the unvarnished earnestness that has come to define her image.
Dion’s return to live music starts with a five-week Paris residency scheduled to begin this September and additional dates already slated for 2027.
