Introduction
Shania Twain reflects on her long and impactful career, which has spanned over three decades. Now in a “liberated” phase of her life, she feels the title of her new album, “Queen of Me,” perfectly encapsulates her current mindset.
Twain is embarking on a tour for her new album. To maintain stamina on show days, she only consumes liquids, as eating solids can cause discomfort while singing. This discipline is particularly important given her past health struggles. In 2003, a terrifying case of Lyme disease impacted her vocal cords, leading to a decade-long struggle and throat surgery to regain her voice. She expresses immense gratitude for being able to sing again.
In a bold move to embrace self-acceptance, Twain posed nude for her new album artwork, explaining her desire to be “more relaxed and comfortable in my own skin.”
The documentary “Shania Twain: Not Just a Girl” sheds light on her difficult childhood. She grew up in poverty, often lacking food, electricity, and heating. She recalls feeling different from other kids who had lunches, often pretending to forget hers to avoid embarrassment. Singing became her escape from hunger and hardship; she would take her guitar “to the bush,” light a fire, and play songs. Her mother recognized her talent and, seeing it as a way to break their cycle of poverty, encouraged her to perform in bars from as young as eight years old, a responsibility Twain felt deeply.
At 22, Twain’s life was shattered by the death of her parents in a car crash, leaving her feeling like she’d lost her “rickety foundation.” She reveals that her initial drive in music wasn’t ambition but desperation, aiming for any musical role that could provide for her family, even dreaming of being a backup singer. However, she “ended up being this big performer.”
She fondly recalls a memorable performance at Coachella with Harry Styles, noting that young artists who are now icons were once her four-year-old fans. Despite a life filled with extreme highs and difficult lows, Twain lives by the philosophy of “when life throws you lemons, make lemonade.”
The segment emphasizes that Twain’s early career was driven by the necessity to provide for her family, making her uncomfortable stage experiences a means of survival. Her battle to regain her voice after Lyme disease, a period when she thought her career was over, highlights her incredible resilience. It’s mentioned that Lionel Richie played a role in helping her find her voice again.
For more details, viewers are encouraged to listen to Hoda Kotb’s “Making Space” podcast episode featuring her conversation with Shania Twain.