Fans rally behind Celine Dion’s hiatus from concerts, touring

Her heart may go on, but Celine Dion’s singing career is going on hold, a decision that’s eliciting disappointment but near unanimous support from her fans.

The French Canadian singer announced Wednesday that she is canceling all concert performances through next spring, including a planned tour of Asia, to care for her ailing husband, Rene Angelil, and also to continue recuperating from a throat problem she’s been battling in recent weeks.

In a statement posted on her official website, Dion apologized to fans for backing out of her scheduled performances at the Colosseum in Las Vegas and elsewhere.

“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,” she said in the statement. “I also want to apologize to all my fans everywhere, for inconveniencing them, and I thank them so much for their love and support.”

Fans have quickly responded with sympathy.

“Please don’t apologize for inconveniencing your fans,” RSCeline wrote in response. “We love you so much and respect that you want to be a wife and mother first! It does makes me sad to hear that you guys are going thru such a difficult time.”

Angelil had a cancerous tumor removed in December and continues to recuperate. Dion herself has been dealing with inflammation of her throat muscles, prompting her to bow out of her Las Vegas shows since July 29.

“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,” Dion’s statement said.

“Even though this does make every Celine Dion fan out there very sad, it is a reason why we love her,” a fan identified as “Kel loves Celine” wrote. “She is human. She puts her family above everything else because that what is most important in life. Instead of disappointing fans she is inspiring us because she realizes there are things out there more important than fame.”

Follow @RandyLewis2 on Twitter for pop music coverage