Rhianna Benson
Fans of Celine Dion were left blindsided earlier this year when the Canadian singer announced the cancellation of her eagerly-awaited world tour.
And this week - in a brand new bombshell interview - Celine, 56, has lifted the lid on what spurred her heartbreaking decision, admitting she was forced to 'lie to' her fanbase following a devastating health diagnosis.
Taking to social media last month, a notice on the singer's social media page broke the news that fans all over the world had been dreading.
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"It is with tremendous disappointment that we have to announce today the cancellation of the Courage World Tour," a statement read.
"I’m so sorry to disappoint all of you once again. I’m working really hard to build back my strength, but touring can be very difficult even when you’re 100%."
And whilst millions of music-lovers were disappointed by the news, this was not the first time that the 'My Heart Will Go On' hitmaker has been forced to postpone shows, after being diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome back in 2022.
Celine's rare autoimmune neurological disorder is recognised most commonly for causing muscle stiffness and painful spasms that can worsen over time.
"It’s not fair to you to keep postponing the shows," her May statement continued.
"And even though it breaks my heart, it’s best that we cancel everything now until I’m really ready to be back on stage again. I want you all to know, I’m not giving up… and I can’t wait to see you again!"
Since then, fans have remained concerned over the chart-topper's health battle.
Last week, however, in a new interview with Entertainment Tonight - ahead of the release of her upcoming biopic documentary - Celine admitted that being dishonest about the impact of her diagnosis is one of her biggest regrets.
"I could not do this anymore," she could be heard saying. "We did not know what was going on. I should have stopped, take the time to figure it out… my husband as well was fighting for his own life. I had to raise my kids."
Celine's late husband René Angélil tragically passed away to throat cancer in 2016 - six years prior to her own life-shattering diagnosis.
"I had to hide. I had to try to be a hero," she recalled last week. "Feeling my body leaving me, holding onto my own dreams.
"Lying for me, the burden was too much. Lying to the people that got me where I am today, I could not do it anymore."
After she was forced to cancel her most recent set of shows, the singer previously claimed she was left 'heartbroken' by the decision.
"My team and I have been working on our new show for the past eight months, and to not be able to open this November saddens me beyond words," she wrote on Instagram.
"My partners at Resorts World Las Vegas and AEG have been working around the clock to get this brand-new state-of-the-art theatre ready, and it's absolutely beautiful.
"I feel so bad that I'm letting them down, and I’m especially sorry for disappointing all the fans who’ve been making their plans to come to Las Vegas.
"Now, I have to focus on getting better… I want to get through this as soon as I can."