Celine Dion, the iconic Canadian singer known for her powerful voice and emotional ballads, has been diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS), a rare neurological disorder. The condition affects roughly one or two out of every one million people and causes painful muscle spasms that can last from seconds to minutes or even be prolonged. Dion's diagnosis was revealed in December 2022, but the documentary 'I Am: Celine Dion,' released on Amazon Prime Video in June 2024, provides an intimate look into her life as she deals with the condition and its impact on her singing career.
Born in Charlemagne, Quebec, Dion began her professional singing career at the age of 12. She gained worldwide fame with hits like 'My Heart Will Go On' from the film Titanic and 'Because You Loved Me.' Her over-the-top sincerity and expressiveness were once seen as irredeemably uncool, but in the documentary, they have become her superpowers.
The film shows Dion going through one of her hardest moments during a physical therapy session. In one scene, she is happily dancing and singing along to her new track; in the next, she is on a gurney unable to speak while medics try to soothe her. This sequence reveals the tragic elements of Dion's life that most people don't understand.
Dion spent decades meticulously caring for her voice with long stretches of vocal rest, complicated warm-up rituals, and a lifestyle of exacting discipline. Her career has been one long exercise in control, sacrificing all for the ecstatic release of live performance. At her best, Dion projects a sense of bigness and sang with conviction despite changing trends and scathing critique.
Despite the challenges posed by SPS, Dion continues to perform. In 2024, she made a surprise appearance at the Grammys and was embraced by cheering crowds. Her fans' love for her remains unwavering, proving that even in the face of adversity, Celine Dion can only be herself.
The documentary 'I Am: Celine Dion' provides an honest and raw look into the life of a global superstar dealing with a rare and incurable neurological disorder. It is a testament to her resilience, determination, and the power of music to heal and inspire.