In 2022 Celine Dion was diagnosed with stiff person syndrome an unknown neurological disorder that nearly killed her.
Ahead of an upcoming interview with the singing sensation, Hoda Kotb revealed on Thursday’s episode of “Hoda and Jenna” that Dion “almost died” while battling the disorder.
“Céline Dion at some point — she is now much better — but, at some point, she almost died, which is something that she says, and it was a scary time,” Kotb said while sharing details of her sit-down with the award-winning singer.
Kotb noted, “She was diagnosed with a terrible disease and, at one point, she wondered if she was going to make it, whether she was going to live through it.
“A lot of people are wondering what happened, what was wrong,” and had asked Dion about the “possibility of a comeback.”
“We’ve missed her, and it was a very emotional interview,” Kotb said. “We’ll see where she is on her return journey, but I know people are cheering her on.”
While fans will have to wait another month for Céline’s full story, the documentary trailer, also released May 23, shows what is to come.
“I have been diagnosed with a very rare neurological disorder,” she says in the trailer. “And I wasn’t ready to say anything before. But I’m ready now.”
In the clips of Céline’s visits with medical professionals, mixed in with nostalgic videos of her performing earlier in her career, the “I’m Alive” singer, who recently noted she is working like an athlete to maintain her health, shades more details of her affliction in a voice-over — and notes the hardest part of it all is her inability to perform.
“It’s not hard to do a show now, it’s hard to cancel a show,” she says. “I’m working hard every day, but I have to admit — it’s been a struggle. I miss it so much. The people. I miss them. If I can’t run, I’ll walk. If I can’t walk. I’ll crawl. I won’t stop.”
In all her health journey, Céline’s goal of returning to music appears to motivate her as she looks back at her past gigs, reflecting, “I think we did create our own magic.”
However, in her most difficult health battle, the five-time Grammy winner makes it clear she does not let her rare diagnosis define her.
“I see my life, and I love every piece of it,” she continues, seemingly going on to describe her life through a metaphor. “When a girl loves her shoes, she always makes them fit — from six to ten — I love them. Give it to me. Here we go.”
Dion recently made a grand return to the music stage in February to present Tylor Swift with the 2024 Grammy for Album of the Year. She has largely remained focused on her health after revealing her stiff person syndrome diagnosis in December 2022. It’s a rare neurological disorder that can cause muscle spasms and mobility issues.
“Thank you all,” Céline, who was met with a standing ovation when she took to the stage, escorted by René-Charles, she told the crowd. “I love you right back. When I say that I’m happy to be here, I really mean it from my heart.”
