Celine Dion diagnosed with rare neurological disorder, postpones 2023 shows

Summer shows canceled, others postponed

As Celine Dion continues to recover from a health issue, she has announced she is postponing the spring performances of her 2023 European Courage World Tour scheduled from February 24th through April 11, 2023, into spring 2024, and is cancelling eight performances in summer 2023. The performances scheduled for August 26-October 4, 2023, will remain on the schedule.

“I’ve been dealing with problems with my health for a long time, and it’s been really difficult for me to face these challenges and to talk about everything that I’ve been going through,” Dion says in an Instagram video. “It hurts me to tell you that I won’t be ready to restart my tour in Europe in February… I miss seeing all of you…being on stage…performing for you. I always give 100% when I do my shows, but I can’t give you that right now. For me to reach you again, I have no choice but to concentrate on my health, and I have hope that I’m on the road to recovery.”

Tickets purchased for the 23 rescheduled dates will be honored for the new dates in 2024. Tickets for the eight cancelled summer dates will be refunded at the point of purchase.

Dion has been diagnosed with Stiff-Person Syndrome (SPS), a rare incurable neurological disorder with features of an autoimmune disease. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) characterizes SPS by “fluctuating muscle rigidity in the trunk and limbs and a heightened sensitivity to stimuli such as noise, touch, and emotional distress, which can set off muscle spasms.”

Those who suffer from the disease can experience abnormal postures that are often hunched over and stiffened and can be too disabled to walk or move, and even be affected by loud street noises.

“Recently I have been diagnosed with a very rare neurological disorder called Stiff-Person Syndrome, which affects something like one in a million people. While we’re still learning about this rare condition, we now know this is what’s been causing all of the spasms that I’ve been having,” Dion says in her message.

“Unfortunately, the 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.

“It hurts me to tell you today this means I won’t be ready to restart my tour in Europe in February.

“I have a great team of doctors working alongside me to help me get better and my precious children who are supporting me and giving me hope.

“I’m working hard with my sports medicine therapist every day to build back my strength and my ability to perform again. But I have to admit it’s been a struggle. All I know is singing, it’s what I’ve done all my life and it’s what I love to do the most.

“I miss you so much. I miss seeing all of you, being on the stage, performing for you. I always give 100% when I do my shows, but my condition is not allowing me to give you that right now.”

This is the third postponement or cancelation of shows since Dion has been suffering from the disease. In April, she postponed the 2022 European Courage World Tour dates to 2023. Earlier this year, she canceled the remaining North American Courage World Tour dates due to her recovery. In October 2021, Dion had announced the postponement of her new Resorts World Las Vegas residency due to the same issues. The singer was forced to delay the opening and cancel the performances scheduled for November and January. No new dates for the residency have been announced as of press time.

Buddy Iahn
Buddy Iahn