Shania Twain and Celine Dion Share a Powerful Bond Amidst Illnesses: A Story of Strength and Connection

Shania Twain and Celine Dion Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock; David Fisher/Shutterstock

Shania Twain expresses her desire to support Celine Dion as she faces the challenges of stiff-person syndrome.

In a recent interview with Billboard, Twain, 57, shared, "I hope to connect with her at some point. It has to be incredibly tough, and I understand, based on my own experiences, the horror of feeling that something is hindering you from singing or interfering with the joy it brings to your life. My prayers are with her, and I truly hope she overcomes it and graces the stage once again, singing for all of us."

Twain expressed her admiration for Dion, 55, stating that she is a unique and talented singer and performer.

In December 2022, Dion disclosed that she was dealing with a rare ailment called stiff-person syndrome. According to Mayo Clinic, stiff-man syndrome, also known as Moersch-Woltman syndrome, is an uncommon condition that affects motor functions. It is characterized by involuntary stiffness in the axial muscles, accompanied by painful muscle spasms that are often triggered by sudden movements or emotional stimuli.

Dion decided to cancel her Courage World Tour after a five-month duration. All previously purchased tickets will be refunded. In May, she expressed this decision through an Instagram post, stating that it was unfair to continuously postpone the shows. Despite her heartbreak, she believed it was best to cancel everything until she felt fully prepared to return to the stage. However, she reassured her fans that she was not giving up and eagerly looked forward to reconnecting with them in the future.

Twain, unlike Dion, does not have the same ailment, but she does understand the struggles of the singer of "My Heart Will Go On." Throughout her career, Twain has faced Lyme disease, which she contracted in 2003 while horseback riding when she was bitten by a tick. According to the Mayo Clinic, Lyme disease is an illness caused by borrelia bacteria, primarily transmitted to humans through tick bites.

After being diagnosed, my symptoms became quite frightening. I experienced severe dizziness, especially while performing on stage. The fear of losing my balance and falling off the high stage was overwhelming.

Moreover, the disease also had an impact on my singing voice. In 2011, I underwent open-throat surgery to repair the nerve damage in my vocal cords.

“My voice was never the same again,” she said in the documentary. “I didn’t understand it.”