Céline Dion is preparing for her return to live performance with a 16-show residency at Paris's La Défense Arena, running from 12 September to 17 October, followed by a further 10 shows in May 2027. Ahead of the run, the 58-year-old singer has spoken candidly in Harper's Bazaar about her long battle with Stiff-Person Syndrome, a rare neurological disorder, revealing that she experienced symptoms for 17 years before finally being diagnosed in 2022.

The incurable condition, thought to affect only one or two people per million, causes muscle stiffness, spasms, balance problems and seizures, and previously left Dion barely able to walk; she has said spasms were once severe enough to break her ribs. She has been preparing for the Paris shows with 90-minute Pilates sessions three times a week and twice-weekly ballet classes, while treating the disorder with medication, physical and vocal therapy, and immunotherapy. Dion also revealed her foundation has donated $2 million towards research into autoimmune neurological disorders, and explained that she stayed out of the public eye for three years partly out of guilt towards fans after cancelling her 2022 and 2023-2024 tours.