After it was announced last week that her documentary would premiere on Prime Video in June and presenting at the Grammys back in February, Céline Dion continues to make her way back into the spotlight by appearing on the cover of the May 2024 issue of Vogue France.
In the wide-ranging interview with Clovis Goux, Dion spoke out about coping with stiff-person syndrome (SPS) — the rare neurological condition she was diagnosed with in 2022, the symptoms having forced her to cancel years' worth of tour plans — and addressed the question on every fan's mind: when will she be able to return to the stage?
"I can't answer that… Because for four years I've been saying to myself that I'm not going back, that I'm ready, that I'm not ready... As things stand, I can't stand here and say to you: 'Yes, in four months,'" Dion explained. "I don't know... My body will tell me. On the other hand, I don't just want to wait. It's morally hard to live from day to day. It's hard, I'm working very hard and tomorrow will be even harder. Tomorrow is another day. But there's one thing that will never stop, and that's the will. It's the passion. It's the dream. It's the determination."
She also explained that, as part of her treatment, she's undergoing athletic, physical and vocal therapy five days a week. "The way I see it, I have two choices. Either I train like an athlete and work super hard, or I switch off and it's over, I stay at home, listen to my songs, stand in front of my mirror and sing to myself," she said. "I've chosen to work with all my body and soul, from head to toe, with a medical team."
When asked where she draws the resilience and inspiration to continue pushing herself to regain control of her muscles, Dion cited the love of her family, fans and team. "People who suffer from SPS may not be lucky enough or have the means to have good doctors and good treatments. I have those means, and this is a gift," she acknowledged. "What's more, I have this strength within me. I know that nothing is going to stop me."
