"She's got a more effective medical regimen now," said Hoda Kotb regarding Céline Dion, who was diagnosed with stiff-person syndrome in 2022.
Hoda Kotb appears to have some exclusive insights into Céline Dion's anticipated return to the stage.
After an on-camera interview with the "My Heart Will Go On" icon about her battle with stiff-person syndrome in June, the Today show host shared during a July 9 appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen that Dion is preparing to perform live again.
"Firstly, she's an incredible fighter. I had no idea what she had endured, how close she came to not making it at one point," said Kotb, 59, about Dion, 56. "And yet, here she is, singing again and all that."
Kotb then reminisced about "walking around" with the "I'm Alive" singer to catch some final moments of their conversation after the interview — and posing the question many fans are eager to know.
"Her manager was off-camera, and I asked, 'So what's the plan? When are you performing again?' And she turned to her manager and asked, 'Can I tell her?' To which he shouted, 'No!' I felt like there was something brewing," recounted Kotb.
A WWHL viewer speculated that Dion might surprise everyone with a performance at the upcoming Paris Olympics, an idea Kotb found "spectacular."
"Céline Dion at the Paris Olympics? That would be fantastic, but I don’t know. What I do know is that she’s going to be performing live again, though I'm not sure where," she elaborated.
Host Andy Cohen expressed doubt about Dion performing at the Paris Olympics due to the unpredictable nature of stiff-person syndrome, which makes it difficult to adhere to a strict schedule.
Kotb disagreed. “She’s going to perform again, and there will always be a set date and time," she asserted. "I think she mentioned she's got a better medical regimen, medications that she takes now."
"Previously, she was taking medications to relax her muscles but was overdoing it. Now, she knows the right dosage and duration," she explained. "So, if she knows she’s performing at a certain hour, she can prepare accordingly."
Dion's journey with stiff-person syndrome is detailed in her new documentary, "I Am: Céline Dion," now available on Prime Video. The artist described returning to the recording studio after years as "very, very, very challenging."
"I don't want to sound pretentious, but singing has never been hard for me. I was scared when it became difficult. I thought, it's not supposed to be this hard," said Dion, who is determined not to let fear shape her future. "I have a wonderful vocal coach, and my treatment plan is making a significant difference."
She also hinted at a stage comeback: "We're discussing putting a show together, and I have so many ideas. I can't wait."
The Quran - Chapter Al-Mujadila : 08
Have you not seen those who were forbidden from secret talks, yet they ˹always˺ return to what they were forbidden from, conspiring in sin, aggression, and disobedience to the Messenger? And when they come to you ˹O Prophet˺, they greet you not as Allah greets you, and say to one another, “Why does Allah not punish us for what we say?” Hell is enough for them—they will burn in it. And what an evil destination!
