Celine Dion nearly lost her life amid her battle with stiff person syndrome.
“Celine Dion at some point, she is now much better, but at some point she almost died, which is something that she says,” Hoda Kotb shared on Thursday’s episode of “Hoda and Jenna,” teasing their upcoming interview.
“It was a scary time,” Kotb, 59, added.
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Earlier in the day, Kotb shared on the “Today” show that she interviewed Dion about her battle with the rare autoimmune neurological disorder that can cause muscle stiffness and painful spasms.
“She was diagnosed with a terrible disease and at one point she wondered if she was going to make it, whether she was going to live through it,” Kotb said on the NBC show while reflecting on her interview with the singer.
Kotb explained that Dion’s condition has kept her from performing live for years.
“A lot of people are wondering what happened. What was wrong,” Kotb said, noting that Dion spoke to her about how the disorder has affected her voice as well as the “possibility of a comeback.”
“We’ve missed her and it was a very emotional interview,” Kotb said. “We’ll see where she is on her journey of coming back, but I know people are cheering her on.”
Kotb revealed that Dion, 56, did sing for her during their interview and sounded “incredible” despite being reluctant to share how her vocals sound these days.
The journalist’s full interview with the “My Heart Will Go On” artist will air on Tuesday, June 11.
Dion was seen breaking down in tears over the ailment in a trailer for her new documentary, “I Am: Celine Dion.”
“I’m working hard every day, but I have to admit, it’s been a struggle,” the Grammy winner said in the teaser for her Prime Video special. “I miss it so much.”
Dion’s eyes welled up with tears as she continued, “The people, I miss them.”
The pop star expressed her determination to get back to performing for her fans.
“If I can’t run, I’ll walk. If I can’t walk, I’ll crawl. And I won’t stop. I won’t stop,” she shared.
The hitmaker revealed her diagnosis with stiff person syndrome in December 2022.
Due to her illness, she was forced to cancel her tour dates in Europe, which were scheduled to kick off the following February.
She also postponed her Las Vegas residency in October 2021 and canceled her North American tour months later while undergoing health tests over her medical issues.
“All I know is singing. It’s what I’ve done all my life, and it’s what I love to do the most,” Dion said in an emotional Instagram video while announcing her shocking diagnosis.
Last year, the “Power of Love” singer’s sister, Claudette Dion, shared that Celine lost control of her muscles and had trouble finding medication to help her symptoms.
Celine reemerged and was looking stronger when she took to the stage at the 2024 Grammys in February to present the award for album of the year to Taylor Swift.
“When I say that I’m happy to be here, I really mean it from my heart,” she told the crowd at the time while getting a standing ovation.
“Those who have been blessed enough to be here at the Grammy Awards must never take for granted the tremendous love and joy that music brings to our lives and to people all around the world,” she added.
The following month, Celine took to social media to share with her fans that she was committed to returning to the stage and to “live as normal of a life as possible.”
“I Am: Celine Dion” will be available to stream via Prime Video on June 25.
