Céline Dion.Photo:Feeling Productions Inc.
Feeling Productions Inc.
Céline Dionis opening up to fans like never before.
The Canadian superstar, 55, is set to explore her accomplishments and challenging past few years since she suspended touring to focus on her health in a new documentary that fans will be able to stream on Amazon Prime Video. The streaming service announced the film, titledI Am: Céline Dion, on Monday.
Céline Dion in Paris in July 2019.Pascal Le Segretain/Getty
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty
According to a press release, the film will uncover “the lengths [Dion] has gone to continue performing for her beloved and loyal fans,” since being diagnosed with a rare and incurable neurological disease that can cause debilitating muscle spasms.
The synopsis reads: “From visiting her couture touring wardrobe and personal effects to spending time in the recording studio, the documentary captures a global megastar’s never-before-seen private life. An emotional, energetic, and poetic love letter to music,I Am: Céline Dioncaptures more than a year of filming as the legendary singer navigates her journey toward living an open and authentic life amidst illness.”
The “My Heart Will Go On” singer shared a statement in a press release about her intentions behind the documentary. She said, “This last couple of years has been such a challenge for me, the journey from discovering my condition to learning how to live with and manage it, but not to let it define me,”
“As the road to resuming my performing career continues, I have realized how much I have missed it, of being able to see my fans,” Dion continued. “During this absence, I decided I wanted to document this part of my life, to try to raise awareness of this little-known condition, to help others who share this diagnosis.”
Céline Dion performs in November 2019.Virginia Sherwood/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty
Virginia Sherwood/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty
Emmy-winning Taylor, who helms the project, previously directed hit documentaries such asBeware the SlendermanandLeave No Trace: A Hidden History of the Boy Scouts.
A release date has yet to be announced, but fans can expect to be able to stream the film upon its release on Prime Video.
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I Am: Céline Dioncomes less than two years after the singer-songwriterrevealed that she had been diagnosed with SPS. The Grammy winner first shared what she had been going through in a moving videoposted to Instagramin late 2022 in which she explained the condition and that it meant she would have to postpone her tour dates.
According to theStiff Person Syndrome Foundation, the condition affects the central nervous system, specifically the brain and spinal cord. “Patients can be disabled, wheelchair-bound or bed-ridden, unable to work and care for themselves,” they say, adding thatthe neurological diseasewith 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.”
In May of last year, Dion made the tough decision tocancel her tourscheduled through April 2024 so she could continue to focus on her recovery.
A source close to the musicianexplained the reasoning behind the cancellationto PEOPLE at the time, saying, “The goal is for her to tour again for sure, but once she is better.”
The insider said that Dion decided to forgo her tour because she thought “it wasn’t fair to the fans” to continue postponing shows. “Right now she’s focusing on her health,” they said.
The star’s sisterClaudette shared an updateabout the “I’m Alive” singer’s health in a September interview withHello! Canada. “She’s doing everything to recover,” she told the outlet. “She’s a strong woman.”
While Dion has been focusing on her health andstaying close to her familyat this time, she reportedlyperformed during in a rare public appearancein November when she stepped out toattend a hockey gamebetween the Vegas Golden Knights and the Montreal Canadiens.
source: people.com
