Celine Dion talks to reporters at her exclusive screening of "I Am: Celine Dion" in New York City on June 17, 2024.
Celine Dion's new documentary, "I Am Celine Dion," is now available for streaming on Prime Video in Canada. The 103-minute film delves into her battle with Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS), a rare neurological disorder causing painful muscle spasms and stiffness, and occasional seizures.
Due to SPS, Dion has largely stopped performing and rarely leaves her Las Vegas home. Filmmaker Irene Taylor captures Dion's daily life, from therapy sessions to attempts at recording music. The documentary also traces her journey from a modest upbringing in Charlemagne, Quebec, to becoming a global superstar, known for hits like "My Heart Will Go On."
"I Am Celine Dion" offers a poignant look at her struggle with SPS. Here are some of the most touching quotes from the film:
Reflecting on her first experience with 'voice spasms' 17 years ago: "It freaked me out a little bit. I was scared. I didn’t know what to do."
Opening up about revealing her life with SPS: "It's very difficult for me to hear that and to show this to you. I don't want people to hear that."
Discussing the multitude of medications she required: "I was taking 80 to 90 milligrams of Valium a day. That’s just one medicine. I could have died... One more pill. Two more pills. Too many pills."
On her fans' loyalty despite her health challenges: "Maybe I can sing another kind of repertoire. But then it’s gonna be their choice to still like me or not."
On meeting expectations as 'Celine Dion': "There’s been moments where I had to go to the studio and I knew they wanted Celine Dion. Who’s Celine Dion? ... She’s the best."
Sharing her fear of disappointing fans: "They paid a lot of money around the world to come see our shows... I don’t want them to wait in line if I don’t have apples for them."
On the difficulty of canceling tours due to health issues: "I can’t lie anymore. From a sinus infection to an ear infection, to whatever."
Managing vocal challenges during live performances: "Sometimes I would point my microphone towards the audience and make them sing... There’s moments where I cheated and tapped on the microphone."
Reacting to a spasm episode during filming: "Every time something like this happens, it makes you feel so embarrassed. You don’t like to not have control of yourself."
Regarding her future in music: "If I can't run, I'll walk. If I can’t walk, I’ll crawl, but I won’t stop."
The documentary sheds light on Celine Dion's resilience in the face of health challenges and her unwavering commitment to her art despite adversity.
