NEWSCeline Dion Admits She Needed High Dose of Valium Amid Stiff-Person Syndrome Battle
Celine Dion admitted she needed a high dose of Valium to deal with her stiff-person syndrome.
Aug. 19 2026, Published 12:34 p.m. ET
Celine Dion opened up about one of the most difficult periods of her life.
In a recent cover for Harper's Bazaar, Dion shared that she was diagnosed with stiff-person syndrome, a rare autoimmune neurological condition that causes muscle stiffness and paralysis-like symptoms.
Dion said the pain became so severe at times that she could barely walk, forcing her to take high doses of Valium just to function.
Celine Dion Refused to be Defined by Her Condition
Celine Dion said she took high doses of Valium on some days to simply function due to her stiff-person syndrome.
While she has largely stepped back from the public eye since revealing her diagnosis, the "My Heart Will Go On" singer still refuses to be defined by her condition.
"It is a progressive condition. I don’t like to say ‘disease.’ Disease makes you go like this," she said, scrunching up her nose to speak in a mocking tone, "‘Kevin, you’re such a disease.’"
Dion Came Clean About Her Diagnosis in 2022
Celina Dion came clean about her stiff-person syndrome diagnosis in December 2022.
Dion revealed her health condition in an emotional Instagram video in December 2022.
She said, per Entertainment Weekly, "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 I've been going through."
"Recently, I've been diagnosed with a very rare neurological disorder called stiff-person syndrome [SPS], which affects something like one in a million people," she continued.
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Celina Dion refused to be defined by her neurological condition.
Dion then shared, "While we're still learning about this rare condition, we now know this is what's been causing all of the spasms that I've been having. Unfortunately, the spasm affects 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."
The singer also added back then, "I'm working hard with my sports medicine therapist every day to build back my strength and my ability to perform again. But I have to admit, it's been a struggle. All I know is singing. It's what I've done all my life, and it's what I love to do the most. I miss you so much. I miss seeing all of you, being on the stage, performing for you."
Dion Canceled Shows in 2021 Due to Her Private Struggle With the Condition
Celina Dion previously canceled her shows in 2021, citing unspecified medical concerns.
In 2021, Dion started showing signs of a private struggle. At the time, she canceled a planned Las Vegas residency in October, citing unspecified medical concerns.
"I have to focus on getting better," she said in a statement. "I want to get through this as soon as I can."
However, she ended up canceling the rest of her North American tour the following January, noting that the "severe and persistent muscle spasms" were becoming too debilitating.
