12 Things Shania Twain Told Me Before She Became A Superstar
Shania Twain has been a mega star since the late 1990s when her The Woman In Me album took off and made her one of the best-selling female artists of…
Shania Twain has been a mega star since the late 1990s when her The Woman In Me album took off and made her one of the best-selling female artists of all time. Shania is currently experiencing a resurgence of her incredible diamond artist-selling success, touring on her "2023 Queen of Me Tour," and has been selling out arenas worldwide.
Having been in country music for over 25 years, I have interviewed Shania many times during her rise to superstardom. My very first interview with Twain was in March of 1995. It was at the Opryland Hotel in Nashville, and at the time, Shania came to my room for the interview on her own. Not even a record label representative was with her. I opened the door when she knocked to see the then-unknown star wearing a smart red business suit.
At the time, I recall I could not even pronounce "Shania" and at the beginning of the interview, had to ask her how to say her name correctly. She was gracious about it. I remember telling my husband that night that I interviewed a new artist today and I really liked her.
She was kind and fun and even asked me after our 30-minute interview if she could hang out with me in my room until her next interview down the hall. During the interview, we discussed our mutual love for Dolly Parton and country music. She also told me about her goals at the time, and yes, she has fulfilled them beyond what she could have dreamed of.
I gathered twelve quotes from my interview with the beautiful lady who, at the time, I had no idea would be such a colossal superstar just a few years later.
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On becoming a singer
Diane Freed/Getty ImagesUNDATED FILE PHOTO: Shania Twain. (Photo by Diane Freed)
Her influences
Scott Gries/Getty ImagesShania Twain backstage at the 36th annual Country Music Association Awards at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee, November 6, 2002. Photo by Scott Gries/Getty Images
Meeting Dolly Parton
Kevin Winter/ABC/Getty ImagesShania Twain arrives at the 30th Annual AMAs held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, CA., January 13, 2003. Photo by Kevin Winter/ABC/Getty Images
On her song "Any Man Of Mine" before it was released as a radio single
Adele Starr/Getty ImagesNASHVILLE, TN -NOVEMBER 6: Singer Shania Twain attends the 36th Annual CMA Awards (Country Music Association) at the Grand Ole Opry House on November 6, 2002 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Adele Starr/Getty Images)
When she decided to move to Nashville from her native Canada
Lawrence Lucier/Getty ImagesNEW YORK - NOVEMBER 26: Recording artist Shania Twain performs on the "Today" show at Rockefeller Center November 26, 2002 in New York City. (Photo by Lawrence Lucier/Getty Images)
On how performing for rock and other crowds helped her with her live show
Robert Mora/Getty ImagesLOS ANGELES - JANUARY 13: Singer Shania Twain poses backstage during the 30th Annual American Music Awards (AMA) at the Shrine Auditorium on January 13, 2003 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Robert Mora/Getty Images)
How the album, The Woman In Me, is a project of her and her then-husband, Mutt Lange
Frederick M. Brown/Getty ImagesHOLLYWOOD - JANUARY 13: Recording artist Shania Twain attends the 2003 Teen People and Universal Records Party at the Ivar Night Club on January 13, 2003 in Hollywood, California. The party honored recording artist Nelly. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
On The album's title song, "The Woman In Me"
Kevin Winter/ImageDirectShania Twain at "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" at the NBC Studios in Burbank, Ca. Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2003. Photo by Kevin Winter/ImageDirect.
On women in all genres of music
Stephen Dunn/Getty ImagesSAN DIEGO - JANUARY 23: Musician Shania Twain answers questions at a press conference for the AT&T Wireless Super Bowl XXXVII Halftime Show at the Super Bowl Media Center on January 23, 2003 in San Diego, California. Shania Twain and No Doubt will perform at halftime as the Oakland Raiders play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl XXXVII which will take place on Sunday January 26. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
Will she push the boundaries of country music?
Al Bello/Getty ImagesSAN DIEGO - JANUARY 26: Singer Shania Twain performs during halftime of Super Bowl XXXVII between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Oakland Raiders on January 26, 2003 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
On her goals
Adriane Jaeckle/Getty ImagesNASHVILLE, TN - APRIL 7: (U.S. TABLOIDS OUT) Singer Shania Twain arrives at the Gaylord Entertainment Center for the 2003 CMT Flameworthy Awards Monday April 7, 2003 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Adriane Jaeckle/Getty Images)
On what she is most proud of
Mark Mainz/Getty ImagesNEW YORK - APRIL 10: (U.S. TABS OUT) Singer Shania Twain attends the launch party for Infinity Broadcasting's BLINK 102.7FM April 10, 2003 in New York City. (Photo by Mark Mainz/Getty Images)
