Celine Dion opens up about battle with rare illness Stiff Person Syndrome

Celine Dion has opened up about her friendship with Aussie music legend John Farnham, telling of the touching “gift” he gave her.

Celine Dion has opened up about her friendship with Aussie music legend John Farnham amid the pair’s respective health battles, telling of the touching “gift” he gave her.

Dion said she was determined to return to the stage despite the devastating impact that Stiff Person Syndrome has had on her life.

The music star also told of her love and respect for Farnham, who she performed with live in Melbourne in 2018.

Celine Dion and John Farnham on stage at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena in 2018. Picture: Brian Purnell/Mushroom Creative House

Farnham underwent emergency surgery following an oral cancer diagnosis in August 2022 and had reconstructive jaw surgery.

“It’s kind of pathetic that I sang with him You’re The Voice when I lost my voice,” she told Seven’s Sunrise.

“I have sung his songs. I love him so much. I have had the honour and the privilege of singing You’re The Voice with him.”

Dion said she had been greatly moved by Farnham’s heartfelt cover of The Beatles’ song Help and dreamt of performing her own version on stage.

Celine Dion says John Farnham is one of her favourite singers.

“This is something that I will work on... I want to sing a song that he did perform and it’s the best version I’ve heard.

“Help me if you can, help me if you can, I’m feeling down.

“When he sang that song, live, I listened to him a lot. And I want to sing that song. And I will reach to him because I respect him so much.

“He’s one of my favourite singers of all time. And I just will never forget the gift that he gave me. I tell you that, when I’m back on stage and I sing Help, it will be for you, John, for sure. Thank you for that gift.”

The 56-year-old star, who has been singing since the age of 12, stopped performing in 2019 and was later diagnosed with the “one in a million” rare neurological disorder, which triggers unbearable pain and muscle stiffness.

Celine Dion during her emotional interview.

Dion opened up about how the illness had wreaked havoc on her life after decades in the limelight and how she worried about the effect it was having on her children.

The Quebec-raised star had three sons with her late husband Rene Agnelli — Rene-Charles, 23, and 13-year-old twins Nelson and Eddy.

She said had to be open with her kids about her condition and had taught her younger sons what to do in an emergency.

“Four years, I stayed in my house,” she said. “But I want my kids to know that mum’s fine.

“We had to have panic buttons, they know what to do, we rehearsed.

The star told how the illness wreaked havoc on her life.

“How many people in the world have conditions — they have to let their kids know, they might have to call 911.

“I will not lie to my fans, my kids and myself.”

The star, who is working with a range of physical therapists at her home in Las Vegas and has made a documentary about her battle, said she wanted her fans to know she was well-surrounded by loved ones.

Celine Dion stopped performing in 2019.

Celine Dion says her passion for music has never left her.

A snippet from Celine Dion’s upcoming documentary, I am: Celine Dion.

“They are taking good care of me, my voice is coming back, my passion has never left, my body’s getting stronger and I’m going to come back on stage.”

The exclusive interview comes ahead of the release of her new documentary, I Am: Celine Dion.

The film, set to premiere on June 25 on Amazon Prime Video, will provide a real and raw account of the pop superstar’s life.

Originally published as Celine Dion opens up about battle with rare illness Stiff Person Syndrome