10 Biggest Reveals About Celine Dion From Her New Documentary

Prime Video’s I Am: Celine Dion is a poignant and honest look into the life of the legendary singer, providing fascinating insights into her personal and professional journey. Directed by Irene Taylor, the documentary allows Dion to share her experiences, especially about her health, with an intimate and vulnerable approach. Here are the ten biggest revelations from the documentary:

1. Dion’s Fashion Warehouse

Celine Dion’s love for fashion is well-known, and the documentary gives viewers a tour of her wardrobe warehouse, showcasing her iconic fashion moments. The warehouse is filled with racks and boxes of outfits, each representing a memorable public appearance. Dion humorously shares her shoe shopping habit, stating that instead of specifying her size, she asks for available sizes and finds a way to make them work.

2. Early Vocal Issues

Dion’s vocal problems began 17 years ago, much earlier than her recent diagnosis of stiff-person syndrome (SPS). The documentary reveals that her vocal range started to diminish, affecting her ability to perform vocal warmups. The emotional impact of this on Dion is palpable as she discusses missing both her music and her fans.

3. Influence of Her Mother

Growing up in a loving, musical household, Dion’s life was greatly influenced by her mother. She shares touching stories, such as her mother making carrot pies for her 14 children despite financial struggles. Dion’s mother instilled in her the resilience to continue performing even when things go wrong, a lesson that has stayed with her throughout her career.

4. Maria Callas’ Necklace

A cherished gift from her late husband, René Angélil, is a necklace that once belonged to opera singer Maria Callas. Dion finds strength in this necklace, drawing parallels between her own vocal struggles and those of Callas. The documentary highlights how this keepsake continues to inspire and support Dion during challenging times.

5. Medication Dependency

To manage her pain and continue performing, Dion reveals she was once heavily reliant on medication, including high doses of Valium. This candid admission underscores the immense pressure she faced to maintain her performance schedule and how it impacted her daily life.

6. On-Camera Spasm

In one of the documentary’s most poignant moments, Dion experiences a spasm on camera. This raw and unfiltered scene illustrates the severity of her condition and her determination to be transparent about her struggles. Despite her embarrassment, Dion’s decision to include this moment underscores her commitment to honesty.

7. Recording for Love Again

Despite her health challenges, Dion worked on the soundtrack for the romantic comedy Love Again. The documentary shows her in the studio, struggling with her voice but persisting in recording her lines and songs. This segment highlights her dedication and the therapeutic role of music in her recovery.

8. Admiration for John Farnham

Dion’s admiration for Australian singer John Farnham is explored in the documentary. She speaks highly of his music and raspy voice, even participating in his documentary, John Farnham: Finding the Voice. Dion reminisces about their shared stage performance, a moment she treasures deeply.

9. Tricks to Save Her Voice

To cope with her vocal issues, Dion used various tricks during performances, such as having the audience sing parts of her songs or pretending there were technical difficulties. She candidly describes these tactics as “cheating,” expressing guilt over not being truthful with her fans about her condition.

10. Determination to Perform Again

The overarching theme of I Am: Celine Dion is her unwavering determination to return to performing. The documentary captures her balanced approach to recovery, combining rest with vocal exercises and the support of her loved ones. Her powerful closing statement, “If I can’t run, I’ll walk. If I can’t walk, I’ll crawl. But I won’t stop,” encapsulates her resilience and hope for the future.

Conclusion

I Am: Celine Dion provides an in-depth look at the singer’s life, revealing her vulnerabilities and strength. It’s a testament to her enduring spirit and commitment to her craft, leaving fans inspired and hopeful for her recovery.