Celine Dion fans ‘in tears’ as singer stuns in surprise appearance at NHL draft as she battles Stiff Persons Syndrome
FANS were stunned after the iconic singer took the stage to announce the Montreal Canadiens draft pick.
Not without a dramatic pause, Celine Dion announced Russian ice hockey player Ivan Demidov as the NHL draft pick for 2024.
ESPN posted the clip on X, formerly Twitter, where it amassed over 220,000 views and nearly 1,400 likes.
Fans shared their love for the singer in the comments section.
"Best draft moment EVER," said one social media user.
"Way to go Celine," echoed another.
"Big upgrade," commented a third.
In 2022, Celine opened up about having Stiff Person Syndrome which means she regularly suffers painful spasms.
She revealed more about the diagnosis in heartbreaking scenes shown in her new documentary, I Am: Celine Dion.
The singer was filmed battling tremors throughout her whole body as doctors yelled that she was "in a crisis."
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The devastating scene was towards the end of the documentary, which dropped on Amazon Prime on Tuesday.
The 56-year-old was asked to lie on her front on a physiotherapy bed as she suffered spasms through her fingers, face, and feet.
The medic and another assistant then gently turned Celine onto her side and she was seen crying as the seizure got worse.
When it finally subsided, Celine opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling, looking exhausted.
She then sat up and covered her face with her hands, wiping away her tears.
Although she is still facing a string of health challenges, Celine Dion's eagerly awaited comeback could be a lot sooner than fans think, as reported by The US Sun.
What is stiff person syndrome?
Celine Dion stepped out of the spotlight after she was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune condition
Stiff person syndrome is a rare neurological disorder that progresses over time.
The condition causes pain and muscle spasms that worsen over the years.
The condition is characterized by "progressive stiffness and painful spasms in the back and limbs, which are often triggered by touch, noise or anxiety, and exacerbated by movement," per Contact A Family, a charity for families of children with disabilities.
There is currently no cure, but death from the condition is rare.
Strong spasms in the chest can sometimes cause difficulty breathing.
The singer received a formal offer from organizers of the Paris Olympics to perform during the huge opening ceremony next month.
The news comes amid whispers that a return to the Las Vegas strip is also on the table.
“Celine has made no secret of her desire to make it back to the stage, and Paris would be the perfect opportunity for her to do that," a source said.
“Unlike other offers which are full shows, making an appearance at the opening ceremony would see Celine performing just one song.
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“The formal offer to perform was made earlier this year, and Celine is working around the clock to make it happen.
“She’s made huge leaps and is getting stronger every day, but she’s not out of the woods yet."
