Céline Dion announces comeback shows: 'I'm so ready for this'

Céline Dion has announced her return to the stage, four years after she was diagnosed with an incurable condition that affected her singing voice and her ability to walk.

The star, known for power ballads like My Heart Will Go On and Because You Loved Me, will play a 10-night residency at the 40,000 capacity Paris La Défense Arena in September and October.

"I'm so ready to do this," she told fans. "I'm feeling good, I'm strong, I'm feeling excited, obviously, [and] of course, a little nervous."

Addressing her health, Dion said: "I'm doing great, managing my health, feeling good. I'm singing again, even doing a little bit of dancing.

"But I have to tell you something very important: Over these last few years, every day that's gone by, I felt your prayers and support, your kindness and love.

She continued: "I am grateful to all of you. I can't wait to see you again."

Dion, who is one of the best-selling artists of all time, has not performed live since a show in Newark, New Jersey on 8 March, 2020.

Her Courage tour was subsequently cut short by the outbreak of the Covid pandemic, before she was forced to all future shows for health reasons.

Plans for the comeback were initially leaked by the French-Canadian newspaper La Presse last week.

Soon afterwards, fans spotted posters featuring Dion's lyrics popping up around the French capital.

On Monday night, shortly after 8pm GMT, the Eiffel Tower lit up with the message, "Paris, je suis pret" (Paris, I am ready), and fans were treated to a playlist of songs including I'm Alive, Encore Un Soir and My Heart Will Go On.

Dion also recorded a French version of the video message announcing the tour, which was played over loudspeakers as the Tower was illuminated by purple lights.

Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS) is a neurological disease that causes muscle spasms and can affect mobility.

Affecting an estimated 8,000 people worldwide, it is caused by the signals from the nerves to the muscles not working properly.

For some, it can be debilitating. There is no known cure.

Dion announced her diagnosis in December 2022, in an emotional Instagram video where she told fans the condition had affected "every aspect of my daily life".

"It was just feeling a little strange, like a little spasm," she said.

"My voice was struggling, I was starting to push a little bit."

At the time, she felt it was impossible to take time off, and experimented with singing in a lower register to ease the stress on her vocal cords.

"These shows were sold out for a year and a half, going around the globe.

"And I'm going to say to people, 'Excuse me about my spasm? Excuse me about my je ne sais quoi?'"

However, the condition worsened, "sometimes causing difficulties when I walk and not allowing me to use my vocal cords to sing the way I'm used to," she told NBC News.

"It's like somebody is strangling you. It's like somebody is pushing your larynx/pharynx."

However, Dion was determined not to let SPS rule her life.

"The way I see it, I have two choices. Either I train like an athlete and work super hard, or I switch off and it's over," she said.

"I've chosen to work with all my body and soul, from head to toe, with a medical team.

"Five days a week I undergo athletic, physical and vocal therapy. I work on my toes, my knees, my calves, my fingers, my singing, my voice."

The efforts paid off. Dion made an emotional comeback at the 2024 Paris Olympics, singing Edith Piaf's classic Hymne à l'Amour from the Eiffel Tower.

That was also the first song played as her comeback shows were announced in the city.