Celine Dion has sent fans a heartfelt message to mark the beginning of 2026.
The Canadian singer, 57, has endured a turbulent few years with her health struggles with stiff-person syndrome, a rare neurological condition which she revealed to the world in 2022.
To ring in a new year, Celine has now sent love to her fans for keeping her in their hearts.
‘As we welcome this new year, I want to take a moment to send you all my love. May this year bring you good health, happiness and peace in your heart,’ the My Heart Will Go On hitmaker began in a video posted on social media, for which she wore a cream top and matching trousers.
She continued: ‘I hope you find laughter in the little things, strength in the hard times and joy in the memories you create with those you love.’
Celine then thanked fans for ‘keeping me in your hearts’.
‘You are always in mine. From my family to yours, I just want to wish you, a happy new year,’ she concluded, blowing fans a kiss.
The ballad queen went public with her health issues at the end of 2022, after being forced to cancel and reschedule a string of performances.
She invited cameras into her home to document her traumatic health ordeal – along with her rise to fame and career – in her 2024 documentary, I Am Celine.
What is stiff-person syndrome?
Stiff-person syndrome (SPS) is a rare autoimmune movement disorder that affects the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord).
The condition ultimately leaves sufferers as ‘human statues’ as it progressively locks the body into rigid positions, leaving people unable to walk or talk.
As the disease progresses, patients sometimes become unable to walk or bend.
It affects twice as many women as men.
Documentary director Irene Taylor admitted in an interview with Metro that some moments were ‘unbearable’ to film, as Celine’s entire body seized up and she wailed with pain on camera.
Dion cancelled her world tour in May 2023, writing on Instagram: ‘I’m so sorry to disappoint all of you once again.
‘I’m working really hard to build back my strength, but touring can be very difficult even when you’re 100%.
‘It’s not fair to you to keep postponing the shows, and even though it breaks my heart, it’s best that we cancel everything now until I’m really ready to be back on stage again. I want you all to know, I’m not giving up… and I can’t wait to see you again!’
However, she’s since returned to the stage, performing at the 2024 Paris Olympics from the Eiffel Tower in an incredible, glittering comeback for the much-loved star.
The five-time Grammy-winner returned to the spotlight again recently in a festive campaign advert with Charlotte Tilbury, in which she and the beauty brand star took to the stage to perform Celine’s anthem I’m Alive.
The singer’s hits – spanning a mighty four-decade career – include It’s All Coming Back To Me Now, Think Twice, A New Day Has Come, and My Heart Will Go On, which featured in the 1997 film Titanic and topped the UK singles chart.
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