Singer Celine Dion, 56, Says Her Iconic ‘Titanic’ Song ‘My Heart Will Go On’ Nearly Didn’t Happen, but Her Rendition Brought Her to Tears

Focusing on the Positive While Managing a Diagnosis

• Singer Celine Dion, 56, retells the backstory to one of cinema’s most iconic scenes and its memorable soundtrack – the sinking of the Titanic as Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio tried to hold onto each other until they could no longer. Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On” added deep emotion to the tense scene.
• Dion reflecting on proud, positive moments, such as her contribution to such an iconic scene, is a means to focus on the positive. She’s been living with a rare neurological disorder called stiff-person syndrome (SPS) since 2022, making life difficult at times.
• Symptoms associated with SPS include muscle stiffening, particularly in the torso, arms, and legs. Stiff-person syndrome (SPS) does not have a cure and can worsen over time. However, people diagnosed can manage symptoms with treatment, which includes muscle-relaxing drugs.
• Some experts shared with SurvivorNet that people battling a chronic disease or cancer should remember to prioritize their overall well-being and do the things that they love, including focusing on music like Dion. By focusing on what brings you joy, your mental health can get a much-needed boost while on your journey to recovery.

Resilient singer Celine Dion, 56, retells the backstory of one of her most iconic songs, which served as a backdrop to one of the most popular movies ever made, Titanic. Dion says "My Heart Will Go On" was not what film director James Cameron envisioned, nor did he want it, claiming his movie was "great enough" until he heard Dion's rendition. "I sang the song and never re-sang it to (officially) record it…They used my voice as a one-take thing," Dion explained in an Instagram post. Titanic, starring Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio as Rose and Jack, etched an iconic scene in film history as the ship sank into the depths of the Atlantic Ocean. Jack and Rose gripped each other's hands until they could no longer. The iconic scene was married to the sweet sounds of Dion singing "My Heart Will Go On," layering the memorable moment with tons of emotion. While retelling the song's backstory, Dion says she became teary-eyed as film producers explained how the song would factor into the story's plot. "James Cameron, the director of the movie, did not want any song. He said, 'My movie is great enough.' I don't need any songs," Dion said. She added that a writer for the film reached Dion and her husband, Rene Angelil, in Las Vegas during the film's production. He explained that although Cameron did not desire a song, claiming that his film was "great enough" without one, the writer convinced Dion to lend her voice to it anyway. Dion was initially hesitant to participate, but a bit more persuasion led Dion to give it a go. "I know when I get into a studio, and I hear music, I get into a character, and I even sell it to myself. So, I start to sing the song. He told me a little bit about the movie. I'm already in tears, but it's a demo," Dion said. "It's just to put my voice on it, one take, just to present to them," Dion recalls, agreeing to the writer's desperate plea. Dion sang the song once just to provide a sampling to the production team. However, they loved her rendition of "My Heart Will Go On" so much that they decided to use it in the movie. In recent months, Dion has revealed that she hopes to perform live on stage again. While retelling the story of "My Heart Will Go On," she explained that she wanted to wear a turtleneck dress while performing the song at the Oscars. Despite her desire to perform again, she's taking a much more cautious approach due to her diagnosis – stiff person syndrome.

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Understanding Dion's Diagnosis

Celine Dion said in December 2022 that she was diagnosed with stiff-person syndrome. She postponed and/or canceled several concerts scheduled for this Spring and Summer because of her diagnosis.

According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), stiff-person syndrome is a rare, progressive neurological disorder that causes muscles to stiffen, particularly in the torso, arms, and legs. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, the disease affects "only one or two people per million." Research published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health shows that it tends to affect women between 20 and 50 years old more often. "A diagnosis like this for someone like Celine Dion, who was on stage day in and day out, who is a performer, is devastating," board-certified neurologist and neuro-immunologist Dr. Sharon Stoll told CTV News. Dion's condition has led to spasms that have sometimes caused her difficulties walking and prevented Dion from using her vocal cords "the way [she's] used to." In her Instagram video announcement, Dion said, "I've been dealing with problems with my health for a long time, and it's been really difficult for me to face these challenges and talk about everything that I've been going through." "I have a great team of doctors working alongside me to help me get better, and my precious children are supporting me and giving me hope," she continued.

Staying Positive Makes a Difference

Although specific details of Dion's SPS journey are not always clear, in many of her public appearances and social media posts, she's often seen smiling and enjoying the company she's in. Many people battling a health condition such as a chronic disease or cancer often benefit from a positive attitude. Dr. Zuri Murrell of Cedars-Sinai says this helps a cancer patient's prognosis. "A positive attitude is really important," Dr. Murrell told SurvivorNet. "My patients who thrive, even with stage 4 cancer, from the time that they, about a month after they're diagnosed, I kind of am pretty good at seeing who is going to be OK. Now, doesn't that mean I'm good at saying that the cancer won't grow," Dr. Murrell says. WATCH: Focusing on positivity and emotional health. Other experts SurvivorNet has spoken to recommend that anyone facing cancer continue to prioritize their overall well-being and do the things they love, including focusing on music like Dion. Dr. Dana Chase , a gynecological oncologist at Arizona Center for Cancer Care, says people with cancer should make time for activities that make them happy. "We know from good studies that emotional health is associated with survival, meaning better quality of life is associated with better outcomes," Chase said.