Celine Dion made her first official appearance on Friday after the premiere of her heartbreaking documentary I Am: Céline Dion.
The legendary singer, 56, who shared harrowing footage of herself suffering a seizure in the film, looked happy and healthy during the 2024 NHL Draft at Sphere Arena in Las Vegas.
She was selected as the fifth overall pick by the Montreal Canadiens in the first round of the professional hockey draft.
Dressed in a chic white shirt and matching skirt, the Grammy winner flashed her megawatt smile as she took the stage to share the sports news.
This follows the star’s emotional documentary, in which she revealed the devastating effects of her battle with Stiff Person Syndrome.
Celine Dion made her first official appearance on Friday since the premiere of her heartbreaking documentary I Am: Céline Dion
The legendary singer, 56 — who shared harrowing footage of herself suffering a seizure in the film — looked happy and healthy at the 2024 NHL Draft at Sphere Arena in Las Vegas
Scenes from the film show the Grammy winner suffering a horrific, ten-minute seizure. The star gasps for breath as medical staff desperately try to relieve her painful muscle spasms, while a camera crew quietly films the ordeal.
Dion was clearly panicking and was given a medicated nasal spray, which is often used to treat the effects of cluster attacks in SPS patients.
The singer watched helplessly as doctors gently moved her into a comfortable position and checked her vital signs.
All the while, her bare feet remained stiff as she battled the debilitating effects of the rare condition.
After receiving help, the singer was finally able to sit up and covered herself with a blanket. She then admitted that she was ashamed of losing control of her body in front of the cameras.
In December 2022, Dion announced that she had been diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome, a serious neurological condition, and that she would be postponing her tour due to the condition.
By May of the following year, she had canceled all her remaining concerts, citing her ongoing battle with the disease.
The condition, which affects one in a million people and causes muscles to tense uncontrollably, eventually turns sufferers into ‘human statues’. The body becomes increasingly stuck in rigid positions, making it impossible for patients to walk or talk.
She was selected fifth overall by the Montreal Canadiens in the first round of the professional hockey draft
Celine dressed in a chic white shirt and matching skirt
The Grammy winner flashed her megawatt smile as she took the stage to share the sports news
While there is no cure for SPS, there are treatments that slow its progression and Dion revealed she did everything she could to minimize the symptoms.
She addressed her fans in a tearful Instagram post on December 8, 2022, adding that it forced her to postpone her European tour.
“Hi everyone, I’m so sorry it’s taken so long to get back to you. I miss you all so much and can’t wait to talk to you all in person on stage,” she wrote.
“As you know, I’ve always been an open book and I wasn’t ready to say anything before, but now I’m ready.
‘I have been dealing with health issues for quite some time now, and it has been very difficult for me to face my challenges and talk about everything I have been through.
‘I was recently diagnosed with a very rare neurological condition called Stiff Person Syndrome. This syndrome affects one in a million people.
‘While we are still learning about this rare condition, we now know that it is the cause of all the spasms I have had.’
Dion went on to talk about the impact the condition has had on her: ‘Unfortunately these spasms affect every aspect of my daily life, sometimes causing problems when walking and preventing me from using my vocal cords to sing as I normally do. .
It comes after the star’s emotional documentary showed the devastating effects of her battle with Stiff Person Syndrome
Ivan Demidov, center, poses after being selected by the Montreal Canadiens in the first round of the NHL hockey draft
Celine stunned in her chic ensemble
The singer appeared after the premiere of her poignant documentary in which she gave a sneak peek into her battle against SPS
“It pains me to have to tell you today that this means I am not ready to resume my tour in Europe in February.”
She added: “I have a great team of doctors working with me to help me get better. And my precious children support me and give me help.
‘I work hard every day with my sports medicine doctor to build my strength and my ability to perform again, but I have to admit it has been a struggle.
‘All I know is singing, that’s what I’ve done my whole life and what I love to do the most. I miss you guys so much. I miss seeing you all on stage performing for you.
‘I always give 100 percent when I do my show, but my fitness now makes it possible to give you that now.
‘To reach you again, I have no choice but to focus on my health at this time, and I have hope that I am on the road to recovery. This is my focus, and I am doing everything I can to recover.
‘I would like to thank you so much for your wishes, love and support on my social media. This means a lot to me. Take care of yourself. Be healthy. I love you guys so much and I really hope I can see you again very soon.”
Dion’s sister Claudette later shared an update on the Power Of Love singer’s health.
Celine Dion insisted no changes would be made to a harrowing new documentary about her battle with Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS) after she was filmed suffering from prolonged spasms
A medical professional is seen assisting the singer with a nasal spray as her affected body goes into ‘crisis’
In conversation with Le Journal de Montreal (via SheMazing), Claudette said her sister Linda cared for her and that she worked closely with researchers who specialize in this rare condition.
“We can’t find any medicine that works, but having hope is important,” she revealed.
‘To be honest, I think what she needs most of all is rest. She always goes further than necessary. [when performing]she always tries to be the best and get the best out of herself.
‘At some point your heart and your body are trying to tell you something. It’s important to listen to it.’
She added: ‘[Performing] is innate to her, she is disciplined in every area of her life,’ Claudette added.
When I call [Celine] and she is busy, I speak to my sister Linda who lives with her and tells me she works hard.’
In November 2023, Dion made her first public appearance in three and a half years at a hockey game.
The Titanic superstar was spotted in public for the first time in three and a half years as the Montreal Canadiens took on the Vegas Golden Knights.
Images posted online show that Dion was accompanied by her sons René-Charles and twins Nelson and Eddy. She seemed to be in great spirits as she greeted the players and fans in the locker rooms after the match.
The singer revealed her Stiff Person Syndrome diagnosis in an emotional video, shared with Instagram followers in December 2022
After publicly sharing her diagnosis, the star made a surprise appearance at the Grammy Awards in February 2024 and received a standing ovation.
Months later, the singer made a shocking appearance at the 2024 Grammy Awards.
The star was visibly emotional as she walked onto the stage with the support of her eldest son Rene-Charles Angelil, 23, to cheers and a standing ovation. She also presented the Album of the Year.
She said, “Thank you all! I love you right back. You look beautiful. When I say I’m glad to be here, I really mean it from my heart.
“Those blessed enough to be here at the Grammy Awards should never take for granted the immense love and joy that music brings to our lives and to people around the world.”