Céline Dion to Open Up About Her Ongoing Health Issues in an Intimate Amazon Prime Video Documentary
'I Am: Céline Dion' is an upcoming documentary about the Canadian superstar that fans will be able to stream later this year
Céline Dion is opening up to fans like never before.
The Canadian superstar, 55, is set to explore her accomplishments and challenging past few years since she suspended touring to focus on her health in a new documentary that fans will be able to stream on Amazon Prime Video. The streaming service announced the film, titled I Am: Céline Dion, on Monday.
Directed by Oscar-nominated documentarian Irene Taylor, I Am: Céline Dion is an intimate look at both the acclaimed songstress’ career and her private life, as she continues to navigate her stiff person syndrome (SPS) diagnosis.
According to a press release, the film will uncover “the lengths [Dion] has gone to continue performing for her beloved and loyal fans,” since being diagnosed with a rare and incurable neurological disease that can cause debilitating muscle spasms.
The synopsis reads: “From visiting her couture touring wardrobe and personal effects to spending time in the recording studio, the documentary captures a global megastar’s never-before-seen private life. An emotional, energetic, and poetic love letter to music, I Am: Céline Dion captures more than a year of filming as the legendary singer navigates her journey toward living an open and authentic life amidst illness.”
The “My Heart Will Go On” singer shared a statement in a press release about her intentions behind the documentary. She said, “This last couple of years has been such a challenge for me, the journey from discovering my condition to learning how to live with and manage it, but not to let it define me,”
“As the road to resuming my performing career continues, I have realized how much I have missed it, of being able to see my fans,” Dion continued. “During this absence, I decided I wanted to document this part of my life, to try to raise awareness of this little-known condition, to help others who share this diagnosis.”
Emmy-winning Taylor, who helms the project, previously directed hit documentaries such as Beware the Slenderman and Leave No Trace: A Hidden History of the Boy Scouts.
A release date has yet to be announced, but fans can expect to be able to stream the film upon its release on Prime Video.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
I Am: Céline Dion comes less than two years after the singer-songwriter revealed that she had been diagnosed with SPS. The Grammy winner first shared what she had been going through in a moving video posted to Instagram in late 2022 in which she explained the condition and that it meant she would have to postpone her tour dates.
According to the Stiff Person Syndrome Foundation, the condition affects the central nervous system, specifically the brain and spinal cord. "Patients can be disabled, wheelchair-bound or bed-ridden, unable to work and care for themselves," they say, adding that the neurological disease with autoimmune features can include symptoms like "hyper-rigidity, debilitating pain, chronic anxiety," and muscle spasms "so violent they can dislocate joints and even break bones."
Related: Céline Dion's Cutest Photos with Her Children
In May of last year, Dion made the tough decision to cancel her tour scheduled through April 2024 so she could continue to focus on her recovery.
A source close to the musician explained the reasoning behind the cancellation to PEOPLE at the time, saying, “The goal is for her to tour again for sure, but once she is better.”
The insider said that Dion decided to forgo her tour because she thought “it wasn’t fair to the fans” to continue postponing shows. "Right now she’s focusing on her health," they said.
The star’s sister Claudette shared an update about the “I’m Alive” singer’s health in a September interview with Hello! Canada. “She’s doing everything to recover,” she told the outlet. “She’s a strong woman.”
While Dion has been focusing on her health and staying close to her family at this time, she reportedly performed during in a rare public appearance in November when she stepped out to attend a hockey game between the Vegas Golden Knights and the Montreal Canadiens.
For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!
Read the original article on People.