Celine Dion Really Canceled Her Shows

Celine Dion’s recent concert cancellations were made in an effort to be “fair to the fans,” a source told PEOPLE.

On Thursday, Dion, 55, announced the news that she was “unable to successfully prepare and execute the rest” of her tour after her diagnosis of stiff person syndrome, canceling all scheduled tour dates until April 2024.

And now a source close to the legendary singer has told PEOPLE that this decision is in the best interest of her fans.

“The goal is for him to film again, for sure, but once he gets better,” the source says.

“He is focusing on his health at the moment,” the source adds. “I couldn’t keep postponing the concerts — it wasn’t fair to the fans.”

The revelation comes just a few days after Dion apologized to her followers when announcing the cancellation on social networks, when she reiterated that she “wasn’t giving up.””

“While the world has come out of the recent times, Céline has continued to receive treatment for a diagnosed health-issue that prevents her from performing. Celine is working hard for her recovery,” said a statement on Dion’s social networks.

“We all have hopes that one day soon, Celine will be able to come to all these cities in Europe to perform in front of her incredible fans, but now is simply not the time,” the statement added. “Céline’s medical team continues to evaluate and treat the health-issue.”

“I am sorry to disappoint you once again… and even if it breaks my heart, it’s better that we cancel everything until he’s really ready to go back on stage… I’m not giving up… and I can’t wait to see you again! – Celine xx,” he wrote on Twitter.
The queen of powerful ballads had previously revealed that she had been diagnosed with stiff person syndrome, a rare and incurable neurological health-issue that can cause debilitating muscle spasms, in December. At the time, she said in an Instagram video that forced her to postpone and cancel some upcoming shows.

“I have been struggling with health problems for a long time, and it has been very difficult for me to face these challenges and talk about everything I have been through,” she wrote.

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Dion revealed at the time that his spasms can cause “difficulties when I walk and they don’t allow me to use my vocal cords to sing like I’m used to.”

In March, Dion expressed her gratitude to fans for their birthday wishes, just over three months after revealing her diagnosis. “I felt this giant wave of love,” she shared on her Instagram story, “thank you all for the birthday messages!”