"I could barely re-watch" - Derek Hough shares his thoughts on Celine Dion's documentary, says it reminded him of wife Hayley's seizure

Dancing with the Stars' Derek Hough opened up about his emotional experience watching Celine Dion's documentary I Am Celine. On Thursday, June 27, 2024, the dancer and choreographer took to Instagram to share how difficult it was for him to watch Celine experience Stiff Person Syndrome seizures due to his own experience watching his wife Hayley get a seizure. He wrote:

"It was so hard to watch seeing her (Celine Dion) in pain like that. It also reminded me of Hayley's seizure on the side of the stage a few months ago. I could barely re-watch."

The dancer also posted a video of himself and his wife meeting and dancing with Dion two years ago. He called the singer a "firecracker."

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"I pray she heals and returns to the stage she loves so much": Derek Hough offered prayers for Celine Dion

Derek Hough got emotional after watching Prime Video's I Am Celine Dion. The dancer took to Instagram on Thursday to post a video of himself and his wife, dancer Hayley Erbert, meeting Celine Dion a couple of years ago. The duo even sang and danced along with the legendary singer.

He also posted a snippet of him and Hayley watching the singer perform live as they sang along to her 1996 hit All by Myself. Along with the post was an emotional message. Derek Hough began the caption to his post by revealing that he and Haley just finished watching I Am Celine the night before. He also recalled meeting the singer two years ago. The dancer wrote:

"She's (Celine Dion) a firecracker, we were so nervous meeting the queen. Especially Hayley who is a diehard fan."

The dancer wrote that the documentary was "incredibly powerful" as it showed Celine Dion's struggles with Stiff Person Syndrome as well as her "quirky and fun side." Derek Hough noted:

"A very difficult scene was seeing one of Celine's SPS seizures play out in real time."

As mentioned, the dancer found it hard to watch Dion in pain. It also reminded him of his wife's seizure from a few ago. In December 2023, Hough's wife, Hayley Erbert, had to be hospitalized due to a cranial hematoma caused by a burst blood vessel.

Hayley had to undergo an emergency craniectomy, and a few weeks after the operation, she also had to undergo a cranioplasty surgery to insert a skull implant, which replaced a large part of the skull that was removed during the craniectomy. Four months later, in April 2024, the 29-year-old made a remarkable recovery and performed on stage alongside her husband.

Derek Hough concluded his Instagram statement by showering Celine Dion with praises. He wrote:

"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."

Back in December 2022, Celine Dion took to Instagram to tell her fans that she had been diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS). Dion detailed that the extremely rare disease affected her walking and even her vocal cords, which affected her singing abilities.

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Strokes detailed SPS as a progressive neurological disorder that led to stiffening of muscles, an increase in sensitivity, and constant spasms. At the moment, there are no cures for the disease. However, the symptoms and progression of the disease can be managed through treatments.

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Celine Dion's documentary, I Am Celine, was released on Prime Video on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. As per the streaming service, the documentary showcases a raw behind-the-scenes look at the songstress' struggle with Stiff Person Syndrome and the music that has guided her life.