Canadian pop star Celine Dion, who has sold 220 million records worldwide, has a fortune of $480 million and has won five Grammy awards, decided to talk about her personal drama in an interview with the American television channel NBC for the upcoming release of a documentary about her life (Tuesday, June 25 on Prime Video).
The drama of the 56-year-old singer, of course, is not money and fame (temporary things, of course), but his failing health (something even more ephemeral, unfortunately). The documentary is called, rather vulgarly, “I Am Celine Dion.” However, this particular vulgarity creates a certain impression of familiarity in the viewer, that is, a peculiar person confesses to him, especially if the viewer is a “fan” of the star – he will definitely be. At the same time, the title says that Dion remains Dion, even if he is almost unrecognizable.
His failing health dates back to the last period of his life. Six years ago, he was diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome, a rare and incurable neurological disorder that causes muscle stiffness over time. “It’s as if someone is strangling you, as if someone is squeezing your larynx. But it can also be seen in the abdomen, spine, ribs, and hands.” Dion told NBC.
Since muscle stiffness also causes cramps, Dion also said in a rebuttal: “I broke a couple of ribs because the spasms were so bad – they often lead to fractures. When I cook, my limbs feel ‘stuck and ‘dry’…” The whole narrative suggests that Dion initially underestimated his illness. Today, his face is thin, withered, and there is obvious suffering from both illness and the vestibule of old age.
“I didn’t know what happened to me at first” he told NBC. The situation did not help him either. The diagnosis of the disease coincided with the illness of her husband, who died of throat cancer in 2016. “I should have hidden, I should have tried to be a hero” the star openly admitted. But there were other problems in his life besides his mistakes
Before being diagnosed with the disease, Dion abused the drug Valium. He turned relaxation into a way to de-stress at shows. However, they overdid it. “Before the show, I was taking 20 milligrams of Valium until I increased the dose.” Eventually, the amount of drugs he consumed became excessive and became dangerous for his health. It has gotten to the point where he needs rehabilitation. Then, when age demanded care, “tough man syndrome” came and “stepped” on them all.
This disease has not been cured yet. It’s rare, of course, and strikes one in a million people, but Dion won the lottery. Treatment helps him manage the symptoms. “I asked myself the questions “why me,” “how did I get it,” “what did I do,” “what was my fault?” But I will be back. If I can’t run anymore, I’ll walk. If I can’t walk, I’ll crawl. But I’ll never stop” he said in an interview with a tenacity that was as profoundly human as it was artistic