Titanic singer Celine Dion is ready for her “impossible” comeback with a small army of backing vocalists and dancers – and the biggest medical team ever assembled for a series of live gigs.
The My Heart Will Go On star will be supported on a new 26-concert residency by up to a dozen specialist nurses and paramedics, as well as having one of the world’s top neurologists on round-the-clock standby.
At least two local doctors will also be in attendance as Celine, 58, takes to the stage again for the first time since being diagnosed with the rare and incurable neurological disorder stiff-person syndrome more than three years ago.
Millions of TV viewers watched heart-rending scenes of her writhing in agony as a result of the condition in the 2024 Netflix documentary film I Am: Celine Dion. At the time, several experts insisted it would be “impossible” for her to ever perform again.
But the Canadian-born star will return to the stage on September 12 at La Défense Arena in Paris with a huge US team from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus that is helping her manage her condition, which causes painful muscular rigidity, impaired mobility and spasms.
It will be led by her neurologist Dr Amanda Piquet, who confirmed that her specialist staff will be aided by local medical personnel during the concert series, which is scheduled to run to May next year.
More than nine million French fans entered a lottery to win early access to tickets and all 26 gigs were completely sold out within hours, with Celine saying: “I’m feeling good. I’m feeling strong,” but admitting: “I’m obviously a little nervous.”
Prior to next month’s comeback, her only performance since her diagnosis was a brief appearance at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
During a break in rehearsals last week, she added: “I’m aware that some people are saying that I’m trying to do too much too soon. But I’m ready and nothing has been left to chance.”
