Celine Dion made a heartfelt appearance at the New York premiere of her new documentary, “I Am: Céline Dion,” on June 17, 2024. The event, held at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall, was a significant moment for the iconic singer, who has been battling stiff-person syndrome (SPS), a rare autoimmune neurological disorder. The documentary, directed by Irene Taylor, offers an intimate look at Dion’s life and her struggle with the condition.
Dion, dressed in an ethereal all-white ensemble, was visibly emotional as she addressed the audience. “This is, by far, the biggest crowd I’ve had in a few years,” she said, her voice tinged with both joy and nostalgia. She expressed her deep gratitude to her fans, saying, “Your presence in my journey has been a gift beyond measure. Your never-ending love and support over all these years have delivered me to this moment.”
The singer also took a moment to thank her three children—René-Charles Angelil, 23, and twins Nelson and Eddy, 13—for their unwavering support. “I love you very much,” she said, her voice breaking as she acknowledged each of them by name. Her eldest son, René-Charles, was on hand to offer her a tissue as she wiped away tears.
Dion praised the film’s director, Irene Taylor, for capturing her story with “such feeling and tenderness.” She also expressed her gratitude to her neurologist, Dr. Amanda Piquet, who she said had “replaced my fear with hope.” The singer announced that the Celine Dion Foundation had pledged $2 million to establish the Celine Dion Foundation Endowed Chair in Autoimmune Neurology at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, with Dr. Piquet being the first to hold the chair.
The documentary, set to premiere globally on Amazon Prime Video on June 25, 2024, delves into Dion’s legendary career and her recent diagnosis with SPS. The film is described as “a love letter to fans” and offers a raw and honest behind-the-scenes look at her life. It highlights the music that has guided her journey and showcases the resilience of the human spirit.
Dion shared a preview image from the documentary on her Instagram, which shows her in high spirits, holding up an empowered fist. The post garnered an outpouring of support from fans and fellow celebrities alike. “OMG MOTHER IS COMINGGGG,” one fan commented, while Cyndi Lauper added, “Many many blessings! Love you Celine!”
The singer’s journey with SPS has been challenging. She first publicly shared her diagnosis in late 2022, revealing that the condition affects her central nervous system, causing hyper-rigidity, debilitating pain, and chronic anxiety. The diagnosis led her to cancel her tour dates to focus on her health. Despite these challenges, Dion has made several public appearances, including at the 2024 Grammys, where she received a standing ovation.
In a statement released earlier this year, Dion said, “This last couple of years has been such a challenge for me, the journey from discovering my condition to learning how to live with and manage it, but not to let it define me.” She added that she wanted to document this part of her life to raise awareness about SPS and help others who share the diagnosis.
At the New York premiere, Dion spoke about the importance of bringing awareness to SPS. “I have a responsibility to bring awareness,” she said. She also shared that many people, both fans and those with SPS, had reached out to her following her public announcement. “A lot of people reached out to me, from fans to known people, unknown people, people with stiff person syndrome, people who are searching and saying, ‘Do I have SPS?'”
The documentary features new and archival footage, offering an eye-opening window into Dion’s day-to-day life with SPS. It shows how the condition has affected her vocal capabilities and her efforts to manage it with physical therapy and medication. The film’s final 15 minutes are particularly poignant, revealing the devastating reality of living with SPS.
Dion received multiple standing ovations before and after the screening. She waved, saluted, and blew kisses to the audience, many of whom were visibly moved. “Thank you to all of you from the bottom of my heart for being part of my journey,” she said before leaving the stage. “This movie is my love letter to each of you. I hope to see you all again very soon.”
The premiere of “I Am: Céline Dion” marks a significant moment in Dion’s career and personal life. It is a testament to her resilience and the unwavering support of her fans and family. As the world prepares to watch the documentary, Dion’s message of hope and perseverance continues to inspire.
