Celine Dion overcomes rare neurological disorder to perform first concert in 6 years
Celine Dion's return to the stage underscored a remarkable comeback after stiff-person syndrome, an incurable condition that causes stiffness and cramps, forced her to cancel shows and cast years of uncertainty over whether she would ever perform again.
September 12, 2026 / 6:54 PM EDT / CBS/AFP
Celine Dion wept tears of joy on Saturday as she fulfilled her dream of returning to the stage after years battling a rare neurological disorder , with a sold-out concert in Paris.
The 58-year-old French Canadian singer appeared visibly moved as she opened her first full concert in six years with her 1990s French-language ballad "On ne change pas" ("One Doesn't Change"), singing to a crowd of 30,000 enthralled fans.
"These are, of course, tears of joy. I'm so delighted to see you," Dion said, blowing kisses to the audience at the packed Plenitude Arena on the western edge of Paris.
"The path was rockier than expected," she said, speaking in French and English.