In the new Amazon Prime documentary, "I Am: Celine Dion," the renowned singer opens up about her struggles with Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS) and the impact it has had on her vocal abilities. Dion breaks down in tears as she reflects on her final concerts before being diagnosed with the rare condition, which has caused her muscles to tighten and her vocal cords to spasm, resulting in her voice cracking and sounding strained.
Throughout the documentary, Dion shares intimate moments from her performances in 2018 and 2019, including instances where she struggled to hit certain notes due to the effects of her medication wearing off. She candidly discusses the challenges she faced, such as having to take up to 80 or 90 milligrams of Valium daily at one point on tour.
Despite the physical and emotional toll that SPS and the medication regimen took on her, Dion was determined to continue performing for her fans. However, as her health deteriorated, she found it increasingly difficult to keep up with the demands of touring and the burden of lying to her audience about her health issues became overwhelming.
In the documentary, Dion expresses her frustrations with not being able to sing at her full capacity and the fear of disappointing her fans. She acknowledges the uncertainty of her future in the music industry but remains determined to find a way to continue sharing her talent with the world.
As Dion grapples with the limitations imposed by SPS, she faces the difficult decision to cancel all remaining tour dates in order to focus on her health and well-being. The documentary offers a raw and honest look at the challenges Dion has faced, both personally and professionally, as she navigates the complexities of living with a chronic health condition while pursuing her passion for music.