Celine Dion's Unusual Public Outing With Sons at Las Vegas Hockey Event
Celine Dion defies her battle with stiff-person syndrome as she joyfully joins her three sons for a memorable outing, supporting a hockey game in Las Vegas A heartwarming public appearance showcasing her unwavering strength and family bond
Céline Dion. Dominique Charriau/WireImage/Getty Images
Celine Dion made a rare public appearance alongside her three sons at a hockey game in Las Vegas. The 55-year-old "My Heart Will Go On" singer witnessed the Vegas Golden Knights defeat her hometown team, the Montreal Canadiens, with a score of 3-2 on Monday, October 30.
This is one of the few public appearances Dion has made since she revealed in December 2022 that she is dealing with stiff-person syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that can cause muscle spasms, as stated by John Hopkins Medicine.
During the event, the Canadian singer was accompanied by her three sons, who are René-Charles, aged 22, and 13-year-old twins Nelson and Eddy. (Their father, René Angélil, sadly passed away in January 2016 at the age of 73 due to throat cancer. Angélil, who also served as Dion's manager, married the renowned vocalist in December 1994 in Montreal, and the couple renewed their wedding vows in January 2000 in Las Vegas.)
At Monday's game, the Canadiens locker room was graced by the presence of the five-time Grammy winner and her children. Coach Martin St. Louis took a nostalgic trip down memory lane, sharing about his experience of witnessing Dion's mesmerizing performance for a world leader in Montreal during her teenage years.
Courtesy of Canadiens de Montréal/Instagram
"I recall you being just 14 years old when you serenaded Pope John Paul II," he mentioned in a video posted on Wednesday via the Canadiens' official Instagram account. "I was fortunate enough to witness it live at the Olympic Stadium." This significant event took place on September 11, 1984, marking a pivotal moment in Dion's early career as she captivated an audience of over 60,000 individuals.
In high spirits, Dion addressed the players, offering words of encouragement, "Stay healthy, stay strong ... Keep doing what you excel at."
Having intended to continue her Courage World Tour this year after it was interrupted by the pandemic in 2020, Dion was compelled to cancel the remaining dates in May in order to prioritize her well-being.
"I deeply apologize for continuously letting you all down," she expressed through an Instagram post. "I am exerting immense effort to regain my strength, but touring can prove challenging, even at full capacity."
Continuing, she added, "It would be unfair to continuously postpone the shows, and despite the heartbreak it brings me, it is best to cancel all engagements until I am truly prepared to grace the stage once more. I want each of you to understand that I am determined and eagerly anticipate our future reunion!"
Dion revealed her struggle with illness in December 2022, after enduring its effects for a significant period. Expressing her vulnerability, she admitted the difficulty of acknowledging and discussing her experiences. Through an Instagram post, she shared that these spasms profoundly impact all aspects of her daily life, hindering her ability to walk and depriving her of her accustomed vocal prowess.
Despite her health challenges, Dion wrote she is optimistic about her future.
“I have hope that I am on the road to recovery,” she wrote.
