Celine Dion
Courtesy of Columbia RecordsCeline fans will have to wait a little longer to take in a performance from the Canadian superstar. Promoters AEG and Concerts West announced on Tuesday (Oct. 19) that Celine Dion has been experiencing severe and persistent muscle spasms which are preventing her from performing for her upcoming residency at Resorts World Theatre in Las Vegas. Dion’s currently scheduled shows through February have been canceled.
“I’m heartbroken by this,” said Dion 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.”
The promoters said in a release that Dion’s medical team continues to evaluate and treat the singer, but the symptoms she is experiencing are prohibiting her from participating in the ongoing rehearsals for the new show.
“Celine is family to us, and the most important thing now is for her to focus on feeling better,” said president and co-CEO of Concerts West/AEG Presents John Meglen in a release. “In our two-decade long relationship with Celine, we’ve certainly learned how dedicated and resilient she is, and that she is most happy when she’s on stage doing what she loves most, performing for her fans. We’re ready to announce new Las Vegas show dates whenever Celine is ready.”
Dion’s newest residency was scheduled to kick off Nov. 5 with dates through Nov. 20. After a short break, Dion was scheduled to return on Jan. 19 and run through Feb. 5. Fans who purchased tickets through AXS or Resorts World Las Vegas will receive automatic refunds within 30 days. Ticket holders of the canceled Las Vegas performances will receive a pre-sale opportunity for first access to purchase tickets for newly scheduled show dates when they are announced.
“I’m especially sorry for disappointing all the fans who’ve been making their plans to come to Las Vegas,” Dion’s statement continued. “Now, I have to focus on getting better… I want to get through this as soon as I can.”
A$AP Rocky has been quiet during his legal battle. The rapper has not said a word entering the court or a word during his trial. Barring some brief praise for his friend and blog rap peer Kendrick Lamar. A$AP has made sure to be careful when it comes to what he says. His facade dropped, however, during a shocking exchange on Friday. The rapper told a witness not to answer a question during an interrogation. It was a shocking moment on several front, and is generally considered a bad sign during a criminal trial.
The awkward moment was captured on film. A$AP Twelvy, a member of Rocky's A$AP Mob, was being asked what the meaning of a specific photo was. The rapper made it clear he wasn't sure what it meant, but in the midst of his answer, Rocky spoke out. Prosecution interrupted the line of questioning and then redirected the focus to A$AP Rocky's question. "Did you hear the defendant when asked question loudly say," he asked. "Do not answer it." Twelvy admits he heard something but claimed he wasn't sure what was said from Rocky's side of the courtroom.
The prosecution suggested that A$AP Twelvy was being coy about his knowledge due to the fact that A$AP Rocky told him not give an answer. The rapper attempted to downplay Rocky's comment, saying he didn't even hear what was said. Prosecution doubled down, and attempted to get an answer out of the A$AP Mob member. The video account of the exchange is cut off when the judge decides to take a break from the interrogation.
Twelvy's controversial exchange is an unexpected development. The rapper appears to be on A$AP Rocky's side, and even testified that he did not open fire on A$AP Relli the way that Relli is claiming. Twelvy told the court that Rocky actually fired a starter pistol that he kept on him during the alleged encounter with Relli. "He walked around with a prop, like a starter pistol," Twelvy stated. "I seen it on several occasions." The rapper then claimed that the gun was clearly identified as fake before said confrontation went down. "He told him to shoot that fake-ass gun," Twelvy added.