Celine Dion's Sister Claims Singer Has Lost Control of Muscles

Celine Dion‘s sister, Claudette Dion, claims her sister has lost control of her muscles due to her Stiff-Person Syndrome — a progressive neurological disorder that affects the brain and the spinal cord, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. 

Celine shared her Stiff-Person Syndrome diagnosis with the world last December since the disorder affected her ability to walk and sing, thus halting all of Celine’s live performances and scheduled tours.

“She works hard, but she doesn’t have control over her muscles,” Claudette said in an interview published Dec. 12 on 7 Jours, a French magazine. “What breaks my heart is that she’s always been disciplined. She’s always worked hard.”

She continued, emphasizing that Celine’s ultimate hope is to return to the stage though “the vocal cords are muscles, and the heart is also a muscle,” and there isn’t enough research on the syndrome to help support her through it.

Celine, who has been out of sight for the majority of the past three years, was seen in public recently for Katy Perry’s Las Vegas residency at the Resorts World Theatre. Celine had also been scheduled to play there but had to call off her appearances two years ago.

She’d also been out earlier in that same week, for an NHL hockey game between the Montreal Canadiens and the Las Vegas Golden Knights at the city’s T-Mobile Arena. The city’s leading entertainment columnist, Las Vegas Review-Journal writer John Katsilometes, cited Celine’s attendance at Perry’s concert as further evidence the singer is expected to be able to pick up her Resorts World residency at some point.

“Dion was seen dancing throughout the show, giving fans and officials more confidence she can return to the stage in 2024,” Katsilometes wrote, adding that AEG representatives have already been “optimistic” about Dion coming back to the stage.

Though that was in November, Claudette’s account of her sister’s health contradicts these witness statements and the footage and photos of the singer at both events.

A representative for Celine did not immediately respond to Variety‘s request for comment or further clarification.

In the video message posted to Instagram last December, Celine said 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.” Because of the impact on her ability to perform, Celine explained, she had no option but to postpone her “Courage” tour, which was set to begin earlier this year after being postponed three times.