When you think of Celine Dion belting out "My Heart Will Go On," you probably don't imagine Darth Vader popping in for a guest appearance. However, that's exactly how the legendary singer describes her experience of singing with stiff-person syndrome. According to Dion, performing feels "like somebody is strangling you" (NBC, USA Today). Who knew the master of the Force could moonlight as a vocal antagonist?

Stiff-person syndrome is a rare neurological disorder that has turned Dion's once effortless vocal transitions into a battlefield of muscle spasms. Imagine trying to hit those high notes only to be met with a rebellion in your own body. Muscle spasms can happen at any time, and they don't discriminate whether she's attempting a low growl or a high falsetto (USA Today, NBC). For Dion, it’s a bit like trying to host a duet with both Darth Vader and a malfunctioning droid.

It's not just her voice that suffers. Dion experiences severe muscle spasms that can be so intense, they risk causing broken ribs. Yes, you read that correctly—stiff-person syndrome is basically that “hug” you never wanted from a grizzly bear (NBC, USA Today). The condition affects not only her throat but can also show up in her abdomen, spine, and ribs. Throw in some hands and feet that cramp up and get stuck in a position, and Dion might as well be contorting like a Cirque du Soleil performer on an off day (NBC, USA Today).

The syndrome is incredibly rare, affecting approximately 1-2 people out of every million (NBC). Of course, leave it to Celine Dion to be one in a million in more ways than one. Unfortunately, this uniqueness led to her canceling her European tour in 2023 due to health issues related to the syndrome (NBC). Her fans may have to wait a bit longer for that new album, "Dion and Darth: The Ultimate Duet."

Yet, the indomitable spirit that Dion is known for hasn’t waned. She still hopes to perform live again and is working tirelessly to make it possible despite her diagnosis (USA Today). After all, if she can survive the Titanic sinking, what's a little muscle rigidity? In 2024, she made occasional public appearances, proving that while stiff-person syndrome may try to sideline her, it won’t keep her down for long. Dion made her presence known at a Rolling Stones concert, the Grammy Awards, and even a hockey game—because even the greatest divas need a little downtime (USA Today).

Her first televised interview since her diagnosis is set to air on NBC, providing fans with a closer look at her battle with stiff-person syndrome (NBC, USA Today). While her condition may seem like the plot twist of a cosmic opera, Dion’s determination to continue her career suggests that the Force is still strong with this one.