Celine Dion crosses her fingers as she speaks about her husband and manager, Rene Angelil, second bout with cancer after a charity event Wednesday, July 16, 2014, in Montreal. AP
LAS VEGAS — Celine Dion her two much-awaited shows in Manila and Japan this November to care for her husband as he battles ill health, the superstar said Wednesday.
Dion said in a statement that she has cleared her calendar of all performances, saying she needs to focus on her health, her husband’s health and raising their three young children.
“I want to devote every ounce of my strength and energy to my husband’s healing, and to do so it’s important for me to dedicate this time to him and to our children,” Dion said on her Facebook page.
“I also want to apologize to all my fans everywhere, for inconveniencing them, and I thank them so much for their love and support.”
The superstar vocalist is canceling shows that were slated until March 22, 2015, including gigs in Tokyo on Nov. 18 and 19 and in Manila on Nov. 29, and regular shows at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.
An earlier INQUIRER report said she is scheduled to perform on Nov. 29 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. In the same report, it was said Solaire Hotel and Casino is rushing to finish the construction of its own performing arts theater also in November, “so that Canadian pop superstar Celine Dion could inaugurate it with a special, strictly-by-invitation performance.”
Dion’s husband, Rene Angelil, had a cancerous tumor removed from his throat in December, and she said in a statement that the struggle with the disease has taken a toll on her family.
The Facebook post also said that “it’s been a very difficult and stressful time for the couple as they deal with the day-to-day challenges of fighting this disease while trying to juggle a very active show business schedule, and raise their three young children.”
Inflamed throat muscles
Show organizers say the singer also has not recovered from an illness that has inflamed her throat muscles and prevented performances in Las Vegas since July 29.
In June, Angelil stepped down as Dion’s manager–a position he had held for more than 30 years.
Dion met Angelil at the beginning of her career in 1981, when she was 12 and he was 38.
The couple began a relationship when Dion was 19 and married in Montreal in 1994. They have three boys, the youngest of whom are twins.
It was unclear how long Dion’s hiatus would last.
“Celine and family have requested that their privacy be respected at this time,” the Facebook post said.
As word of Dion’s decision spread, messages of encouragement popped up on social media.
“Family first xx we love you Celine xxx,” one fan, Linda Lavoie, posted on the singer’s page.
Fans who bought tickets for Dion’s canceled shows are eligible for refunds.
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Originally posted: August 13, 2014 | 10:14 pm