When watching someone else's battles, it's hard not to reflect on your own. Derek Hough experienced this firsthand while watching Celine Dion's new documentary.
- Jun 29, 2024
AceShowbiz - The "Dancing with the Stars" judge, Derek Hough, shared an emotional post on Instagram after watching the newly released documentary "I Am: Celine Dion". He watched it with his wife, Hayley Erbert, and found the scenes harrowingly familiar.
The documentary showcases the iconic singer's struggle with Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS), a rare neurological disorder that causes severe muscle spasms and stiffness. Hough's Instagram post included a heartfelt video of his and Erbert's meeting with Dion backstage a few years ago.
"We were lucky enough to meet her a couple of years ago, even sing and dance with her a little. Haha. She's a firecracker," wrote Hough. He admitted they were both nervous meeting the "queen," especially since Erbert is a diehard fan of the legendary singer.
The documentary doesn't shy away from depicting Dion's painful reality. A particularly tough scene shows Dion suffering a seizure due to her illness. "A very difficult scene was seeing one of Celine's SPS seizures play out in real time. It was so hard to watch seeing her in pain like that," shared Hough. The scene resonated deeply with him because it reminded him of his wife's medical emergency late last year.
Erbert was diagnosed with a cranial hematoma in December 2023 after becoming disoriented during a performance. She underwent emergency surgery followed by a cranioplasty weeks later. Despite the gravity of her condition, she triumphantly returned to the stage in April, joining her husband on their Symphony of Dance Tour. "It's incredible just to see the way she handled everything with such grace and strength," Hough praised his wife.
Dion's journey with SPS has been equally challenging. Diagnosed in December 2022, the disorder has affected both her ability to perform and her vocal cords, leading to the cancellation of her tour. She has since remained mostly out of the spotlight, making only a few public appearances, such as a surprise moment at the 2024 Grammys.
In his touching Instagram tribute to Dion, Hough expressed admiration and hope for her recovery. "Celine is an absolute legend, with a unique and one in a billion voice. We're so blessed to witness her talent in our lifetime. I pray she heals and returns to the stage she loves so much," he concluded.
Dion's documentary, "I Am: Celine Dion", provides an unprecedented glimpse into her life, struggles, and determination to return to her passion - performing. It remains a powerful narrative of resilience, one that has evidently struck a chord with Hough and countless fans worldwide.
