Celine Dion forced to delay Las Vegas return due to 'severe and persistent muscle spasms'

Celine Dion has postponed her Las Vegas return due to “severe and persistent muscle spasms.”

The French-Canadian chanteuse was slated to open Resorts World Theatre with a run of shows Nov. 5-20 and a return Jan. 19-Feb. 5, but her medical symptoms are preventing her from participating in rehearsals for the show.

No further details were available as to the nature of the spasms, though Dion, 53, is receiving ongoing treatment from her medical team.

“I’m heartbroken by this,” Dion said in a statement. “My team and I have been working on our new show for the past eight months, and to not be able to open this November saddens me beyond words. My partners at Resorts World Las Vegas and AEG have been working around the clock to get this brand new state-of-the-art theatre ready, and it's absolutely beautiful. I feel so bad that I'm letting them down, and I’m especially sorry for disappointing all the fans who’ve been making their plans to come to Las Vegas. Now, I have to focus on getting better… I want to get through this as soon as I can.”

Celine's 'Courage': Singer grapples with emotions on latest album

Tickets purchased with a credit card through axs.com or Resorts World Las Vegas will be automatically refunded within 30 days. Ticketholders for the canceled dates will receive a pre-sale opportunity for first access to new show dates when they are announced.

Those who purchased tickets through non-authorized sellers should contact the original point of purchase for more information.

Dion’s absence means Carrie Underwood will open the 5,000-capacity theater on Dec. 1 with her show, Reflection – The Las Vegas Residency. Katy Perry follows on Dec. 29, with Luke Bryan kicking off his residency Feb. 11.

Celine Dion's new chapter: 'I'm not playing the boss, I am the boss'

Dion is expected to resume her Courage World Tour on March 9. However, her return to Las Vegas was viewed as a homecoming for the singer, who changed the landscape of the city’s residencies with the 2003 debut of “A New Day…” in the specifically designed Colosseum at Caesars Palace.

Dion ended her iconic 16-year presence at the venue – which also attracted long-term runs from marquee names including Elton John, Cher and Bette Midler – in June 2019.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Celine Dion delays Las Vegas return due to severe muscle spasms