Celine Dion Cancels Rest of World Tour Over Medical Condition

FILE PHOTO: Singer Celine Dion and Pepe Munoz arrive to attend the Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2019/20 collection show by designer Alexandre Vauthier in Paris, France, July 2, 2019. REUTERS/Regis Duvignau/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Singer Celine Dion and Pepe Munoz arrive to attend the Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2019/20 collection show by designer Alexandre Vauthier in Paris, France, July 2, 2019. REUTERS/Regis Duvignau/File Photo
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Celine Dion Cancels Rest of World Tour Over Medical Condition

FILE PHOTO: Singer Celine Dion and Pepe Munoz arrive to attend the Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2019/20 collection show by designer Alexandre Vauthier in Paris, France, July 2, 2019. REUTERS/Regis Duvignau/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Singer Celine Dion and Pepe Munoz arrive to attend the Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2019/20 collection show by designer Alexandre Vauthier in Paris, France, July 2, 2019. REUTERS/Regis Duvignau/File Photo

Canadian pop singer Celine Dion announced on Friday that she was canceling the European stretch of her world tour, scheduled to resume this summer, due to a medical condition that makes it difficult for her to perform, Reuters reported.

The announcement comes four months after the 55-year-old Quebecoise singer said she was diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder called stiff-person syndrome that causes muscle spasms. At the time, the disorder forced her to postpone some European shows on her "Courage World Tour."

“I’m so sorry to disappoint all of you once again," the singer - best known for the "Titanic" movie theme song "My Heart Will Go On" - wrote on Instagram on Friday morning.

"I’m working really hard to build back my strength, but touring can be very difficult even when you’re 100%."

The tour's European stretch consisted of 42 shows in seven cities from late August to early October and another 17 cities during the spring of 2024. Dion said ticket holders would receive refunds.

Stiff-person syndrome causes muscle rigidity and increased sensitivity to sound, touch and emotional stimuli that can trigger spasms. The condition led the multiple Grammy winner to postpone her Las Vegas residency in October 2021.

The tour - her first in the United States in 10 years - kicked off in Quebec City in September 2019. It was accompanied by the release of her latest album "Courage."

The singer said the album’s title was inspired by the 2016 death from throat cancer of her husband and manager Rene Angelil. The couple had three children.



Saudi Arts, Entertainment Sector Achieves 20% Growth in 2024

File photo of the Saudi capital Riyadh - File/AAWSAT
File photo of the Saudi capital Riyadh - File/AAWSAT
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Saudi Arts, Entertainment Sector Achieves 20% Growth in 2024

File photo of the Saudi capital Riyadh - File/AAWSAT
File photo of the Saudi capital Riyadh - File/AAWSAT

The Saudi Ministry of Commerce has revealed that commercial registers in the arts and entertainment sector grew by 20% during 2024 compared to 2023.
The ministry highlighted significant growth in several key sectors, in which innovative arts and entertainment activities saw a 30% increase, with a total of 4,188 registers. Amusement park activities recorded a 26% rise, bringing the total to 6,108 registers.
Registers for other entertainment activities grew by 25%, reaching a total of 14,239. Sports club activities saw an 18% increase, with the total number of registers rising to 8,095 by the end of 2024, SPA reported.
The arts and entertainment sector is a key pillar of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, playing a vital role in boosting the local economy, diversifying income sources, increasing the GDP, and creating opportunities for the private sector to offer experiences that enhance the quality of life for all members of society.