Celine Dion slipped and fell on stage during her comeback shows in France, but quickly reassured fans she was unharmed. The 58-year-old singer was performing at the Plénitude Arena near Paris when she lost her balance while skipping across the stage.
Fall during performance
Her right leg slid, causing her to fall to the ground. She got back up immediately and gave the crowd a thumbs-up. The rest of the concert continued without further issues.
Dion has been performing at the arena over the last month after questioning whether she would ever return to the stage. In 2022, she was diagnosed with stiff-person syndrome (SPS), a rare and progressive neurological disorder that affects muscles, causing stiffness and painful spasms.
Upcoming shows
She has four more dates before taking a break from the show until May 2027, when she will perform 10 more shows at the arena. The current leg of the tour wraps on October 17.
At her first show back, Dion wiped away tears as she told the crowd she had 'promised [herself] not to cry'. 'I don't keep my promises,' she continued. 'But I'm so happy to see you all. I missed you. I'm going to sing like you without crying.'
Managing her condition
Thanking the crowd, she said: 'If it's your first time in Paris, I hope you fall in love with it just like I did. Finally, it's amazing we are all together. I made a promise to come back, to be back on stage. So here I am, singing for you and singing for me, singing live! Thank you so very much for your support, your patience, and, if I may say so, I am everything I am because you loved me.'
There is no cure for SPS, but it can be managed with treatment, and the progression of symptoms can be slowed. At times, the condition has caused her so much pain that she has been unable to walk, and she has had to take high doses of valium. She has committed to intense rehabilitation, including medication, physical therapy, vocal therapy, and immunotherapy. She has been doing 90-minute Pilates classes three times a week, plus twice-weekly ballet and barre classes. She also has a home gym with weights and machines.
Dion has reassured fans she is 'managing [her] health' and was 'so ready' to sing to them all again.
