Celine Dion cancels ‘Courage’ tour after diagnosis

Celine Dion announced “with tremendous disappointment” Friday that she is canceling her “Courage” world tour to focus on her health.

The “Because You Loved Me” singer, who was diagnosed with stiff person syndrome in December 2022, shared a list of her 42 scrapped European dates via Instagram alongside a message expressing her heartbreak.

“I’m so sorry to disappoint all of you once again. I’m working really hard to build back my strength, but touring can be very difficult even when you’re 100%,” she began.

Céline Dion singing in 2019.
Dion has been diagnosed with stiff person syndrome.
AFP via Getty Images

“It’s not fair to you to keep postponing the shows, and even though it breaks my heart, it’s best that we cancel everything now until I’m really ready to be back on stage again.”

Dion assured fans that she is “not giving up,” however, and “can’t wait to see” them again.


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Her team shared that tickets will be refunded via the original point of sale.

Céline Dion in video sharing her diagnosis of Stiff Person Syndrome.
Dion shared her diagnosis in a tearful video last year.
celinedion/Instagram

According to the National Institutes of Health, stiff person syndrome is a “rare, progressive neurological disorder” that can cause stiff muscles in the torso, arms and legs.

“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,” she revealed in an emotional video posted to social media last year.

Céline Dion in NYC in 2023.
The syndrome is incredibly rare and causes muscle spasms.
GC Images

“Recently I have been diagnosed with a very rare neurological syndrome, which affects something like one in a million people,” she continued, explaining that it is this condition that has been causing all of the “spasms” she’s been experiencing.

People suffering from the disorder have a greater sensitivity to noise, touch, and emotional distress, which can set off muscle spasms.”

Distressingly over time they may develop hunched-over postures and become too disabled to walk or move.