Celine Dion dazzles on the cover of Vogue France‘s May 2024 issue!
Bravely battling a life-altering ailment, Stiff Person’s Syndrome, the vocal supernova appears in the publication as she gears up share her story in a new Amazon Prime Video special, ‘I Am: Celine Dion’ which premieres on June 25.
Before then, the legend poses it up in the Cass Bird-lensed shoot.
She also seizes the moment to open up about her condition and plans for the future.
More pics and quotes below…
On Her Present Mindset:
“My dream is to live in the present. One day at a time. I am truly very lucky. And I am honored to be doing a photo shoot for Vogue France because although I had better health and beauty at 30, I didn’t get asked to do one then. I am very proud that at 55, I am being asked to reveal my beauty. But what is beauty? Beauty is you, it’s me, it’s what’s on the inside, it’s our dreams, it’s today. Beauty is what surrounds us, it is there. There are people that see it, and there are people that observe it. Today, I am a woman, who feels strong and positive about the future. One day at a time.”
On Living with Stiff Person’s Syndrome:
“I haven’t beat the disease, as it’s still within me and always will be. I hope that we’ll find a miracle, a way to cure it with scientific research, but for now I have to learn to live with it. So that’s me, now with Stiff Person Syndrome. Five days a week I undergo athletic, physical and vocal therapy. I work on my toes, my knees, my calves, my fingers, my singing, my voice… I have to learn to live with it now and stop questioning myself. At the beginning I would ask myself: why me? How did this happen? What have I done? Is this my fault?
Life doesn’t give you any answers. You just have to live it! I have this illness for some unknown reason. The way I see it, I have two choices. Either I train like an athlete and work super hard, or I switch off and it’s over, I stay at home, listen to my songs, stand in front of my mirror and sing to myself. I’ve chosen to work with all my body and soul, from head to toe, with a medical team. I want to be the best I can be. My goal is to see the Eiffel Tower again!
On How She Perseveres:
“Above all, the love of my family and my children, the love of the fans too, and the support of my team. People who suffer from SPS may not be lucky enough or have the means to have good doctors and good treatments. I have those means, and this is a gift. What’s more, I have this strength within me. I know that nothing is going to stop me.”
On When or If She Will Ever Tour Again:
“I can’t answer that… Because for four years I’ve been saying to myself that I’m not going back, that I’m ready, that I’m not ready… As things stand, I can’t stand here and say to you: “Yes, in four months.” I don’t know… My body will tell me. On the other hand, I don’t just want to wait. It’s morally hard to live from day to day. It’s hard, I’m working very hard and tomorrow will be even harder. Tomorrow is another day. But there’s one thing that will never stop, and that’s the will. It’s the passion. It’s the dream. It’s the determination.”
[Photo Credit: Cass Byrd / Vogue France]