Introduction
At the 1999 Academy of Country Music Awards, Shania Twain received a historic honor—the first-ever Double Diamond Award presented by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). This prestigious milestone recognized her groundbreaking achievement of selling over 10 million copies each of her albums The Woman in Me and Come On Over.
The presenter, reflecting on a long history of awarding gold and platinum records, noted the significance of this new category—Diamond status, reserved for albums with 10 million+ sales. Shania Twain, as the first woman to receive a Double Diamond certification, was celebrated for rewriting the record books with her unmatched commercial success.
Taking the stage visibly moved, Shania expressed deep gratitude to the Academy, the fans, and to Dick Clark, who presented the award. She admitted she was trying to hold back tears, especially after witnessing her idol Jo Dee Messina win earlier that evening, whom she called her favorite country voice at the time. She also praised fellow artist Steve Wariner for his powerful performance.
In a heartfelt moment, Twain reflected on her humble beginnings—alone with her guitar and songs—and gave special thanks to country music fans for helping her music reach audiences around the globe.
This emotional and historic moment highlighted Shania Twain’s monumental impact on the country and pop music landscape, solidifying her status not just as a star, but as a record-breaking global icon.