Photo credit: RepliCarter / CC from 3.0
Almost six months after Celine Dion revealed her battle with a rare neurological condition called “Stiff Person Syndrome,” she has canceled the remaining shows of her Courage World Tour.
The Charlemagne, Quebec-born singer informed her fans of the unfortunate news in a detailed press release (available in English and French) shared on social media today. According to the document, the 55-year-old has canceled all scheduled stops on the European leg of her tour, which was due to last until the end of April 2024. Prior to the outbreak of COVID-19, the Grammy winner has performed over 50 Courage World Tour concerts in North America.
“As the world emerges from the pandemic,” the announcement reads in part, “Céline continued to be treated for a diagnosed illness that prevents her from performing.” … We really hope that one day Celine will be able to travel to all of these cities Europe can come to perform for their amazing fans, but now is just not the right time.”
Consequently, ticket holders will receive refunds “through the original point of sale,” the text reads, which also includes a brief description of stiff-person syndrome (the “rare condition” is said to cause “severe and persistent muscle spasms”). as a statement from the “That’s The Way It Is” singer.
The National Institutes of Health’s NINDS elaborates on the former, noting that stiff-person syndrome “affects twice as many women as men” and, according to preliminary research, is “the result of a failed autoimmune response in the brain and spinal cord.” In Dion’s case, given the volume of concerts, it is particularly important that those affected “may be afraid to leave the house because street noise, such as the sound of a car horn, can trigger seizures and falls,” it says the resource.
Nevertheless, Dion is mentioned in the opinion made it clear that she is keen to recover and return to the stage as soon as possible.
“I’m so sorry to disappoint you all again,” Dion said. “I’m working really hard to get my strength back but touring can be very difficult even when you’re at 100%. It’s not fair to you to keep postponing shows, and while it breaks my heart, it’s best to cancel everything now until I’m really ready to get back on stage. I want you all to know that I’m not giving up… and I can’t wait to see you again!”
Earlier this month, Jimmy Buffett canceled a concert in Charleston, South Carolina after being hospitalized with undisclosed medical problems. The 76-year-old has since been released, it is said an update that he shared on Facebook, and once he’s “back in good shape,” he intends to announce “a new date for Charleston, as well as some new shows.”