Celine Dion made a surprise Grammys appearance despite her Stiff Person Syndrome. Here's a timeline of her health updates.
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- Celine Dion was onstage at the 2024 Grammys to give out the album of the year award.
- She has not been seen much in public since she was diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome in 2022.
- Here's a timeline of her health updates since 2022.
Celine Dion received a standing ovation at Sunday's Grammy Awards after making a surprise appearance onstage.
It was a rare moment for Dion since she was diagnosed with a rare neurological condition.
Stiff Person Syndrome is a disease that affects the brain and causes muscles to stiffen uncontrollably.
In December 2022, Dion announced her diagnosis in an Instagram video.
The pop superstar canceled concerts after the diagnosis, and has not been seen much in public.
But Dion did attend the Grammys this year, where she presented the most prestigious award, album of the year, to Taylor Swift.
Here's what Dion and her family have said about her health in recent years.
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Fans started worrying about Dion's health after the singer began postponing concerts.
In October 2021, Dion said she would delay her Las Vegas residency show at the new Resorts World Theatre. Per a statement, Dion couldn't perform because she was "experiencing severe and persistent muscle spasms."
"Now, I have to focus on getting better… I want to get through this as soon as I can," Dion wrote in an Instagram post.
In January 2022, Dion canceled her remaining North American shows for her Courage World Tour, which had been delayed since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She again cited her muscle spasms.
"I'll be so glad to get back to full health, as well as all of us getting past this pandemic, and I can't wait to be back on stage again," Dion said.
A few months on, in April 2022, she recorded a video for fans saying she was delaying the European leg of the tour as well.
"The good news is that I am doing a little bit better, but it's going very slow, and it's very frustrating for me," she said in the video.
Dion eventually canceled the whole tour in May 2023.
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In another video, Dion shared the diagnosis, which she said she had gotten recently.
"Unfortunately, these spasms affect every aspect of my daily life, sometimes causing difficulties when I walk and not allowing me to use my vocal cords to sing the way I'm used to," Dion said with tears in her eyes.
Dion said that she was working with a team of doctors and sports-medicine therapists, hoping to perform again.
"All I know is singing. It's what I've done all my life, and it's what I love to do the most," she said.
Business Insider's Marianne Guenot previously reported that there is no known cure for Stiff Person Syndrome. Instead, symptoms are managed using muscle relaxants and sedatives.
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In July 2023, Dion's older sister Claudette Dion told Canada's Le Journal de Montréal that the family was struggling to find a medicine that worked.
"I honestly think that she mostly needs to rest. She always goes above and beyond, she always tries to be the best and top of her game," she said.
Claudette said her other sister Linda moved in with Dion.
Later that year, Claudette told the French-Canadian magazine 7 Jours that her sister could not control her muscles.
"What breaks my heart is that she's always been disciplined. She's always worked hard," she said in December 2023.
Claudette added that she hoped her sister would be able to perform again but wondered how.
"The vocal cords are muscles, and the heart is also a muscle," she said.
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In January, Dion announced that Amazon MGM Studios had acquired the rights to "I Am: Celine Dion," a documentary about her career.
Dion said it would include a behind-the-scenes look at her struggles with Stiff Person Syndrome.
She said she hoped the documentary would raise awareness and help others with the condition.
"This last couple of years has been such a challenge for me, the journey from discovering my condition to learning how to live with and manage it, but not to let it define me," Dion said.
In the statement, Dion referred to "the road to resuming my performing career," suggesting that she hopes to return.
But she didn't give a timeframe. It also isn't clear when the documentary will be released.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
During Sunday's Grammy ceremony, Dion was invited to present the album of the year award. Accompanied by her son, René-Charles Angélil, Dion received a standing ovation from the audience as she walked onstage.
"Thank you all. I love you right back," Dion said. "When I say that I'm happy to be here, I really mean it from my heart."
"Those who have been blessed enough to be here at the Grammy Awards must never take it for granted, the tremendous love and joy that music brings to our lives and to people all around the world," she continued.
She gave the top prize to Taylor Swift for her album "Midnights."
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