After her great love, René Angélil, died in January 2016, Celine Dion’s closet underwent a makeover. She started wearing haute couture pieces, clothes that in her opinion make her look great and feel attractive.
This happened almost at the same time she started to lose some pounds; however, that is a topic she avoids mentioning. The talented singer is tired of people talking about her dramatic weight loss.
In 2019, when people were talking about how flamboyant she seemed to be dressing and how thin she was, she finally decided to respond in a blunt manner.
«Don’t bother. Don’t take a picture. If you like it, here I am. If you don’t like it, leave me alone,» she said, as quoted by People.
Despite much ado about her accentuated thinness, Celine never publicly stated how much weight she had lost after her husband’s death. However, she admitted to feeling «strong» and «feminine».
She has said that genetics plays a role in her slim figure. In response to claims that she is anorexic, she revealed in an interview that she had been thin all her life, and that everyone in her family was thin as well.
Aside from genetics, her dancing habits and her life as a performer have also contributed. Dion believes that dancing is in her DNA and is her off-stage hobby. She practices ballet up to four times a week.
All the reasons she gave are enough to keep anyone in shape. However, for those who expressed concern about her health in 2019, she assured them that everything was fine.
In an interview with ABC, Celine stated that she felt more alive than ever, in response to some comments on social media that said she «looks like a dead woman».
The beautiful singer is well aware of how her body has been changing naturally over the years. Still, she opines that her weight has not changed radically from how she has always looked.
«When I was 12, my face was rounder because you have more fat when you’re younger… But I’ve always been very thin,» she explained.
Dion listens to what people say about her. However, thanks to having spent years in the music industry, she knows how to handle criticism.
Incurable disease
At over 50 years old, Dion has remained active in the music industry, touring and performing on stage as often as possible. Unfortunately, that will change following an announcement about her health.
Celine recently revealed that she had been diagnosed with an incurable neurological disease known as stiff person syndrome. It is a rare disease that causes muscle spasms that progressively increase over time.
She confessed that the diagnosis had forced her to postpone and cancel several planned concerts. In her Instagram post announcing her situation, she wrote:
«I’ve been dealing with health issues for a long time and it’s been very difficult for me to face these challenges and talk about everything I’ve been going through. It pains me to say that I won’t be ready to restart my tour in Europe in February.»
Earlier in October, the singer had told fans that she was having debilitating and persistent muscle spasms that had her three sons, Nelson and Eddy and René-Charles, taking care of her.
At the time, they had no idea what they were dealing with, and neither did her fans, who kept criticizing how thin she looked. It is now known that it is all due to that disease that affects the brain, spinal cord and other parts of the central nervous system.
According to Dion, this affects her daily activities, which means she cannot use her vocal cords as she used to. Fortunately, her family continues to take care of her and has made her happy.
For Mother’s Day, her three children put a smile on her face with a special cake to celebrate the occasion. Dion shared a photo of her three children surrounding her as she held one of the candles on her cake.
On the future
Doctors have revealed to the artist what her future will look like from a medical perspective, leading her to postpone all of her spring engagements in 2023 to 2024. A couple of her shows scheduled from May 31 to July 17 have also been cancelled.
Despite this, the singer assured fans that she will perform again.
«All I know is singing; it’s what I’ve done all my life. And it’s what I love doing the most,» she said, according to Global News.
Dion is aware of what things look like and how bad they can get. She revealed that she is surrounded by capable doctors and a loving family who want to see her get better. She is hopeful that she will be able to sing again.
She now works closely with a sports medicine therapist every day to increase her strength and prepare for future performances. Her fans are hopeful that her condition will improve and can’t wait to see her return to the stage.
