“As if someone were strangling you”: what Celine Dion feels when she sings

Published on June 7, 2024 at 5:34 p.m.

“It’s like someone is strangling you. » It is with these striking words that Celine Dion explains what she feels when she tries to sing again. In an interview with “Today”, the international artist spoke about her difficulties in giving voice since she suffered from stiff person syndrome. “It’s like someone is pushing on your larynx, your pharynx, that way,” she explains, pressing on her throat. “It’s as if you were talking like that,” she continues in a suffocating voice. And you can’t go higher or lower. »

Diagnosed in December 2022, Céline Dion was forced to postpone her tour several times, even canceling around forty European dates – including those planned in France – since this rare neurological disease prevents her from performing on stage.

But Celine Dion’s appearance at the Grammy Awards last February and the recent video of her singing her hit “I’m Alive” surrounded by her sons is enough to give hope to worried fans.

Serious physical symptoms

In addition to the dramatic consequences on her vocal cords, the Quebecer also discussed the physical symptoms that the disease inflicts on her. In particular muscle spasms “in the abdomen, in the spine or in the ribs”. As well as stiffness in the body: “I feel like if I point my feet they will stay in that position, or if I cook – because I love cooking – my fingers and hands will get stuck. » Then she adds: “At one point, I had broken ribs because, sometimes, when it’s very serious, it can break them. »

Céline Dion recounts her fight against illness in a documentary called “I am: Céline Dion”. Available on Prime Video on June 25, the feature film promises its share of emotions.