Celine Dion shares singing with stiff person syndrome feels 'like being strangled'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Celine Dion has opened up about how stiff person syndrome has affected her overall well-being.

The 56-year-old, five-time Grammy winner, spoke about her condition in an interview with Today's Hoda Kotb. This marks her first televised interview about her health since revealing her diagnosis in 2022.

Celine Dion shares how stiff person syndrome affects her voice

Dion who first revealed her diagnosis in December 2022 said, "It's like somebody is strangling you. It’s like somebody is pushing your larynx/pharynx," adding, "It was like talking like that, and you cannot go high or lower."

In the June 7 interview, he said, "It gets into a spasm," adding, "It started [in the throat]. [And I thought], 'No, OK, it’s gonna be fine.’ But it can also be the abdominal, can be in the spine, can be in the ribs."

She went on to note that the stiffness can sometimes feel like it's locked into place.

"It feels like, if I point my feet, they will stay in [that position]," said the 'Power of Love' singer.

She added, "Or, if I cook because I love to cook my fingers, my hands, will get in position. It’s cramping but it’s like in a position where you cannot unlock them."

"I have broken ribs at one point because sometimes when it's very severe, it can break," she said.

According to the Stiff Person Syndrome Foundation, the condition affects the central nervous system, particularly the brain and spinal cord.

"Patients can be disabled, wheelchair-bound or bed-ridden, unable to work and care for themselves," they say, adding that the neurological disease with autoimmune features can include symptoms like "hyper-rigidity, debilitating pain, chronic anxiety," and muscle spasms "so violent they can dislocate joints and even break bones."

Celine Dion's documentary set for release

The Oscar-winning vocalist also shares her struggles with SPS in the new documentary, 'I Am: Celine Dion.'

In the video teaser, Dion can be observed breaking down over her struggles. She shares, “I’m working hard every day, but I have to admit, it’s been a struggle,” before adding, “I miss it so much.”

According to Dion's website, the Amazon MGM Studios documentary, 'I AM: CELINE DION', is directed by Academy Award-nominated director Irene Taylor and set for global streaming debut on Prime Video starting June 25, 2024.

Dion said about the documentary, "I've been dealing with problems with my health for a long time, and it's been really difficult for me to face these challenges and to talk about everything that I've been going through," adding, "I wasn’t ready to say anything before, but I’m ready now.”