Hoda Kotb, the anchor of "Today," shared a preview of her upcoming interview with singer Céline Dion, in which the singer reveals her medical conditions and how they affect her voice.
In a Friday sneak peek, Hoda Kotb revealed that Céline Dion acknowledged in her that she "almost died."
Kotb told co-host Jenna Bush Hager, "She is now much better, but at one point she almost died, which is something she shared with me," as reported by Page Six. "It was a scary time and she’s dealing with this."
The 59-year-old Dion revealed in December 2022 that she has stiff-person syndrome, a rare and deadly neurological condition that results in excruciating spasms of the muscles. Dion had no choice except to cancel all of them.
At the time, Dion stated, "Unfortunately, these spasms affect every aspect of my daily life."
"Sometimes causing difficulties when I walk and not allowing me to use my vocal cords to sing the way I'm used to."
"My only skill is singing," she continued. "It's what I've done all my life and what I love to do the most."
The Stiff Person Syndrome Foundation states that the illness affects the central nervous system, which is made up of the brain and spinal cord. The signs include "so violent they can dislocate joints and even break bones," "hyper-rigidity, debilitating pain, chronic anxiety," and many more.
The59-year-old Kotb revealed that Dion had once feared for her life.
Kotb, who made the trip to Las Vegas for the interview, said it was rather touching. "It was an intensely emotional interview, and we miss her." We'll see where she is in her journey of coming back."
The interview with Dion airs on 'Today' and in an NBC News Primetime special on June 11, ahead of her Amazon Prime documentary, 'I Am: Céline Dion,' which premieres on June 25.
In a preview of the documentary, Dion expressed her longing to return to the stage.
"I miss it so much," Dion said. "The people, I miss them. If I can’t run, I’ll walk. If I can’t walk, I’ll crawl."
The Quran - Chapter An-Najm : 09
that he was only two arms-lengths away or even less.
فَكَانَ قَابَ قَوْسَيْنِ أَوْ أَدْنَىٰ (so as he was at a distance between two bows (joined together), rather even nearer....53:9).
The noun qab refers to the distance between the curved handle of a bow and the tight chord that releases arrows. This distance is estimated about the length of one hand.
The expression qaba qawsain is based on an ancient Arab custom, according to which when two persons pledged themselves to firm friendship, each one of them would turn the wooden part of their bows towards themselves, but they would turn the chord part towards the other.
In this way when the chords of their bows were joined together, this used to be regarded as the proclamation of proximity, love and affection at the time of which the distance between the two persons would be two bows' length - approximately the length of two arms or one cubit.
The expression aw adna ('rather even nearer' ) signifies that the relationship of closeness was no ordinary one, it in fact was more intimate than could be conceived.
The reason for the mention of such intimacy with Jibra'il (علیہ السلام) in the above verses is to confirm that the revelation which he delivered is indubitably and truly from Allah, and he heard it with absolute accuracy in every detail: There is no room for any doubt in this.
This closeness and intimacy further allays the suspicion that the Holy Prophet ﷺ might have not recognized Jibra'il (علیہ السلام) and that the devil might interfere.
