AN emotional Celine Dion has been seen for the first time in two years – ahead of her big comeback following a health crisis.

In December 2022, the Canadian singer, 58, told her fans she had been diagnosed with Stiff-Person Syndrome (SPS).

Celine Dion received a warm welcome from crowds as she arrived in Paris Credit: Getty

The star is preparing to make a return to the stage – three years after being diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder Credit: AFP

Upon arriving in Paris on Friday, the star received a very warm reception from huge crowds.

It comes as Celine is preparing to make her stage comeback, three years on from her Stiff-Person Syndrome diagnosis.

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Her last full gig was in March 2020 and since then she has appeared only briefly at the Paris Olympics opening ceremony and a fashion show, both in 2024.

Meanwhile, she previously detailed the condition in her 2024 documentary I Am: Celine Dion.

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Celine previously talked about Stiff-Person Syndrome in her 2024 documentary I Am: Celine Dion Credit: Splash

It comes just days before Celine is set to make her return to the stage Credit: Reuters

Celine announced earlier this year that she would be making a triumphant stage return for a ten-date residency in Paris, starting in the autumn.

Overwhelming demand meant she extended the return for 16 additional performances.

The shows will begin on September 12 at the Plenitude Arena in Nanterre, a Parisian suburb.

Celine is due to perform three concerts a week, on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, with more than 30,000 spectators each night.

Stiff-Person Syndrome is an autoimmune neurological disorder that causes muscle stiffness and painful spasms that come and go and can worsen over time. 

Rare and progressive, it primarily affects the nervous system, specifically the brain and spinal cord.

What is Stiff-Person Syndrome?

Celine Dion stepped out of the spotlight after she was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune condition
Stiff person syndrome is a rare neurological disorder that progresses over time.
The condition causes pain and muscle spasms that worsen over the years.
The condition is characterized by “progressive stiffness and painful spasms in the back and limbs, which are often triggered by touch, noise or anxiety, and exacerbated by movement,” per Contact A Family, a charity for families of children with disabilities.
There is currently no cure, but death from the condition is rare.
Strong spasms in the chest can sometimes cause difficulty breathing

SPS typically affects adults between the ages of 40 and 50 and disproportionately impacts women.

Those living with SPS can experience chronic pain, frequent falls, and a loss of mobility.