I AM: CELINE DION Offers an Intimate Look at the Iconic Singer’s Life and Career
Directed by Oscar-nominated director Irene Taylor, “I Am: Celine Dion” takes viewers on a journey inside the life of Celine Dion as she reveals her battle with Stiff Person Syndrome. The Amazon MGM Studios screening of the documentary was held at Alice Tully Hall on Monday, June 17.
Celine Dion made a grand entrance, wearing a pearlescent silk blouse and a matching floor-length skirt. As she moved from one journalist to another, greeting influencers and fans, the heart of every spectator skipped a beat. Her presence added a special luster to the atmosphere, reminiscent of recent auroras.
The concert hall at Lincoln Center was filled with VIP guests, and the media personalities lining the red carpet were equally as starstruck as longtime followers. Fans even had the opportunity to share a moment with the singer; I too seized the opportunity to break the journalistic ‘fourth wall’ to give Celine her flowers.
Just a week before the New York special event screening, Celine Dion sat down for an exclusive interview with American broadcaster and journalist Hoda Kotb. The interview aired on NBC on Tuesday, June 11, 2024. During the interview, they discussed the challenges Dion has faced over the last 17 years due to a rare neurological disease known as Stiff Person Syndrome. The disease initially presented as throat spasms, which Dion experienced during her 2008 Taking Chances World Tour in Germany.
The symptoms that started as something symptomatic of a common cold evolved into a medical mystery for Dion. She searched for answers while her voice continued to waver over the next few years. To compensate, Dion changed her songs and lowered the key for live performances. Meanwhile, she kept her illness hidden from the public. Unfortunately, during this time, her husband of 20 years, René Angélil, was diagnosed with cancer and passed away in 2016. Tragically, just two days after Angélil’s death, Dion’s brother Daniel Dion also passed away in a palliative care residence outside of Montreal.
Despite facing devastating losses in her personal life, Céline Dion showed incredible resilience and determination in continuing her music career. In 2016, just a few weeks after the death of her husband René Angélil, Dion returned to The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. A decision demonstrating her unwavering commitment to her fans and her passion for performing.
Similarly, in early 2020, Dion faced another heartbreaking loss with the death of her mother, Thérèse Tanguay-Dion. Despite this immense grief, she did not let it keep her away from show business. After the memorial service, Dion continued with her touring schedule for the North American leg of the Courage World Tour.
However, fate had other plans, and the outbreak of COVID-19 in the United States forced Dion to postpone her shows due to the pandemic. This unexpected turn of events brought her (and her devotion to work) to an involuntary standstill. During this period, Dion took the opportunity to focus more on her health and private life.
It was during this time of reflection and self-care that Dion received her diagnosis of Stiff-Person Syndrome (SPS) from her neurologist, Dr. Amanda Piquet. This rare autoimmune neurological disorder causes muscle stiffness and painful spasms that can worsen over time. The diagnosis forced Dion to reevaluate her touring plans and ultimately led to the cancellation of her postponed performances.
In the opening scenes of the movie, we are granted an intimate and unfiltered glimpse into Céline Dion‘s life as she finds herself at home in Las Vegas, focusing on her health and well-being. The camera captures her undergoing treatment to manage the symptoms of Stiff-Person Syndrome. Irene Taylor captures an unvarnished portrayal of the singer’s journey, shedding light on the daily challenges she faces. We witness Dion working closely with a physical therapist, striving to alleviate her muscle rigidity and cope with chronic pain. There are moments when the severity of her symptoms overwhelms her, leading to sporadic distress and temporary incapacitation.
One significant aspect highlighted in the film is how this debilitating disease affects Dion’s ability to sing. As she ventures into the studio to record songs for the soundtrack of the movie “Love Again,” a romantic comedy drama featuring Dion in her first feature film, we witness the toll that Stiff-Person Syndrome takes on her vocal performance. Take after take, the perfectionist within Dion emerges, as she becomes her own harshest critic, striving for excellence despite the obstacles she faces.
The movie provides a raw and honest exploration of the physical and emotional challenges that Dion encounters while navigating her career and personal life. It showcases her unwavering determination to pursue her passion for music, even in the face of adversity. Through this unfiltered lens, audiences gain a deeper understanding of the strength and resilience that define Céline Dion as an artist and as a person.
Dion had a residency planned for the fall of 2021 at Resorts World Theatre in Las Vegas, when the unforeseen medical symptoms forced her to delay the opening and cancel the scheduled performances. In 2022, she openly shared on social media that she had been battling SPS. Then A sudden and welcome surprise appearance at the 2024 Grammy Awards, where she presented Taylor Swift with the Album of the Year, marked a careful emergence of the iconic singer. Speculation and rumors have since started swirling about the revival of her Vegas residency, and Dion herself teased these reports on the red carpet.
As we eagerly await the next chapter in Céline Dion’s career, her documentary offers a captivating and personal insight into her life and experiences. Opening in select AMC theaters today, it provides a glimpse into the world of this extraordinary artist. For those unable to catch it in theaters, the documentary will be available for streaming globally on Prime Video starting Tuesday, June 25. It is an opportunity for fans and viewers alike to appreciate the resilience, talent, and indomitable spirit of Céline Dion as she continues to inspire and captivate audiences around the world.
