Celine Dion fans got some worrisome news last year, after the chart-topping icon announced that she had been diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder that was forcing her to take a break from performing.
While fans won’t be able to see her in concert anytime soon, that doesn’t mean they won’t be getting new tracks from the pop sensation: today, Dion released her first new music since her diagnosis, and fans are loving it.
New music released
Dion released an official lyric video for her new song “Love Again,” the theme song to a film of the same name set to be released on May 15.
The Love Again film stars Priyanka Chopra Jones and Sam Heughan — and will also star Celine Dion as herself, in her first-ever film role, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
The film’s soundtrack, set to be released on May 12, features five new songs from Dion, as well as six of her past hits like “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now.”
Many of Dion’s biggest hits have been part of movie soundtracks, including “Beauty and the Beast,” “Because You Loved Me” (from Up Close and Personal) and of course “My Heart Will Go On” (from Titanic), so fans will surely be excited to hear all the songs she has for this new film.
This new track has fans very excited: it’s the first English-language new music she’s released since her 2019 album Courage — and it’s the first time she’s released new music since she revealed a severe medical diagnosis last year.
Neurological disorder diagnosis
In an emotional video shared with fans on Instagram, Dion announced that she has a “one in a million” condition called stiff-person syndrome, a progressive nervous system disorder that affects the brain and spinal cord, and can cause painful spasms and limit mobility. The condition is incurable but symptoms can be treated.
“I’ve always been an open book and I wasn’t ready to say anything before, but I’m ready now,” Dion said.
Dion’s issues with muscle spasms had been previously known to fans, which caused her to cancel North American tour dates in January, but this is the first time she has revealed the underlying disorder.
“While we’re still learning about this rare condition, we now know this is what’s been causing all of the spasms that I’ve been having,” the singer explained. “Unfortunately, these 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.”
Though the news was hard for Dion, and broke the hearts of many fans around the world, she expressed optimism that with time and continued treatments she could regain her voice and get back to performing.
“I’m working hard with my sports medicine therapist every day to build back my strength and my ability to perform again. But I have to admit it’s been a struggle,” Dion said. “I have a great team of doctors working alongside me to help me get better and my precious children who are supporting me and giving me hope.”
“Seeing all of you, being on the stage, performing for you. I always give 100 percent when I do my shows, but my condition is not allowing me to right now.”
Update from family
Dion has kept a low profile since that announcement, but her sister Claudette has given updates on her condition, expressing optimism.
“I am confident that life will give her back what she gave because she is an extremely intelligent woman, so very generous and talented and in love with life as well,” Claudette said to the Le Journal de Montreal. “Rather than crying over her fate, I try to send her positive vibes in the hope that one day she will go back on stage.”
“I truly believe in the power of love. I wish her the best of luck, that’s for sure. She is surrounded by specialists as she continues to recover.”
Celine Dion has sold more than 200 million records worldwide. Hit singles include “The Power of Love,” “Because You Loved Me,” “It’s All Coming back to Me Now,” and Titanic theme “My Heart Will Go On.” Her albums Falling into You and Let’s Talk About Love are both diamond-selling records and among the best-selling albums in history.
She has won five Grammy Awards, including Record of the Year and Album of the Year. Her previous concert residency in Las Vegas is the highest-grossing residency in music history.
Celine Dion is truly a one-of-a-kind talent and we are wishing her the best ❤️ While she can’t perform concerts right now, we’re glad to see she’s still releasing new music!
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