Celine Dion’s fans marvel over the fact that such a powerful voice can come from such a tiny frame, but is it perhaps too tiny? Dion has always been on the slim side, but rumors about her weight and general health have proliferated over the years.
Is Celine Dion’s weight loss a true cause for concern? Find out what the singer has to say to critics who focus on her physique more than her talent.
Dion Postponed Her Las Vegas Residency And World Tour
Dion capitalized on her success with an exhausting Las Vegas residency in the 2000s, performing over one thousand shows between 2011 and 2019.
Unfortunately, Dion had to postpone the opening of her latest residency, which was set to open on November 5, 2021, due to health problems. According to her statement, the singer had been experiencing “severe and persistent muscle spasms” that prevent her from performing.
Unfortunately, there is no word yet on when Dion’s residency dates will be rescheduled. She was still preparing to begin her “Courage World Tour” in the spring of 2022 but announced in late April that due to her ongoing health issues, the European leg of the tour would be postponed further.
According to Dion’s official website, shows are slated to resume in February of 2023 and go through October of the same year.
Fans Constantly Express Concern About Dion’s Weight
Dion has always had a small frame, but following the 2016 death of her manager and husband René Angélil, fans sounded the alarm bells. After a period of mourning, she re-emerged as a star in the haute couture world, appearing at exclusive shows in Paris and dressing in exquisite custom outfits. But she also appeared emaciated in pics, such as this one posted by Vogue Australia in 2019.
Dion admitted to shedding some pounds, but she attributed the new look to a fresh fitness regimen. In 2019, she told People that she had taken up ballet lessons with her close friend and backup dancer Pepe Muñoz.
“Dancing has been in my DNA all of my life,” said Dion. “It’s a dream. And so hard! … I do this four times a week. People say, ‘She’s a lot thinner,’ but I’m working hard. I like to move and [weight loss] comes with it.”
“I’m doing this for me, I want to feel strong, beautiful, feminine, and sexy,” she told CNN earlier that same year. Dion, who is rightfully tired of rehashing the topic, wrapped it up by saying, “If you like it, I’ll be there, If you don’t, leave me alone.”
Dion Responds Passionately To Rumors About Her Weight
The rumor that Celine Dion is too thin just won’t die, even if it’s been debunked multiple times.
“First, I’m not anorexic. It pisses people off that I am thin and I don’t make any effort,” Dion told The Guardian as far back as 2007. “I have been thin all my life. Nobody in my family is overweight.”
But she found herself repeating her defense 12 years later. “What is wrong with my body?” she asked body-shamers in a 2019 ET interview. “When I was 12 years old, my face was rounder because you have more fat, you’re younger, but I’ve always been very thin.”
Dion Revealed She Has Been Diagnosed With A Rare Neurological Condition
On December 8, 2022, Dion shed some light on what exactly is going on with her health. In a video uploaded to her Instagram page, the singer shared that she was diagnosed with a rare condition called Stiff Person Syndrome, which she said causes her muscles to spasm.
In the caption of the video, Dion stated that due to her health, she wouldn’t be able to resume her tour in February of 2023.
“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…” Dion began, clearly emotional.
“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.”
She continued, “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. I’m working hard with my sports medicine therapist every day to build back my strength an my ability to perform again but I have to admit it’s been a struggle.”
“I always give 100% when I do my shows, but my condition is not allowing me to give you that right now. For me to reach you again, I have no choice but to concentrate on my health at this moment, and I have hope that I’m on the road to recovery. This is my focus and i’m doing everything that I can to recuperate. … Take care of yourselves, be well, I love you guys so much and I really hope I can see you again real soon.”
Here’s hoping that Dion continues to get the care she needs and is able to eventually return to what she loves doing the most.