Celine Dion Releases New Song Amid Health Battle With Rare Neurological Disorder

Apr 17, 2023

Celine Dion has a new song on the airwaves just months after announcing that she has stiff-person syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that impacts her ability to sing. The new song, titled "Love Again," is also the title of a movie starring Dion, Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Sam Heughan.

Dion shared the news of her new song on her Instagram account on April 13, 2023, and also gave her followers a peek at the movie with some clips. The ballad is one of five songs by the Grammy-winning artist that was included in the film soundtrack, alongside her other hits like "It’s All Coming Back to Me Now" and "That’s The Way It Is."   

"Love Again" is Dion's first feature film while the song is her first released track since "Courage" in 2019. This song is also her first single out since she revealed her health condition in December 2022.

During the announcement of her illness at 54 years old, Dion said that her team of doctors were still learning about stiff-person syndrome but they finally had some answers to her frequent spasms. She said that her condition had given her difficulties with walking and the use of her vocal cords.

Dr. Richard Nowak of the Yale School of Medicine told NBC News that this neurological disorder may lead to a disability if the symptoms are severe. However, some patients may be able to manage the condition with medication. 

Stiff-person syndrome occurs when there is a disruption in the pathways of communication from the brain to the muscles, which turn rigid or stiff. Many patients may have an autoimmune disease that can trigger stiffness. Aside from muscle stiffness and spasms, the symptoms of this condition include the risk of falling down or problems with breathing.

Dion said that she's doing better after the diagnosis because she has gotten the proper treatment for her condition. However, the "My Heart Will Go On" singer admitted that her recovery had been slower than she had hoped. She has to be in the best shape when performing on stage, and she’s not quite there yet.

Her appearance in "Love Again" does not demand a lot from her because Dion actually plays herself in the movie. Heughan plays Rob Burns, a journalist assigned to do her profile. The character then enlists the help of the singer to win the heart of Mira Ray, played by Chopra Jonas.

"I had a lot of fun doing this movie," the hitmaker said in a statement. "And to have the privilege of appearing with the beautiful and talented actors Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Sam Heughan in my very first feature film is a gift that I will cherish forever."

“Love Again” also touches on grief following a loved one's death. Dion is no stranger to the feeling having lost her husband of 22 years, René Angélil, to throat cancer in 2016. Two days after her husband's death, Dion also lost her brother, Daniel, who was also ill with cancer for several years and was in palliative care in his final days.

Speaking with "Good Morning America" in 2019, Dion said that she had to "go forward" and keep living to get through her grief. Friends of the singer said that her three sons with Angélil – René-Charles and twins Eddy and Nelson – have been her rock, especially after learning about her health struggles. Dion's eternal optimism is also helping her manage her condition and boosting her fighting spirit on her road to recovery. 

What can you say about Celine Dion’s health struggles? Are you excited that she has a new song out and a movie appearance to boot? Know someone who’s a fan of the singer? Then pass this story along!