Growing older in the public eye comes with pressures that many celebrities rarely discuss in detail, but Shania Twain is changing that.
The country music icon is opening up about a difficult period in her life when menopause, body changes, and unrealistic expectations pushed her toward unhealthy habits.
Years later, she is sharing how that experience reshaped her relationship with aging, self-image, and personal acceptance.
During a recent interview with The Times, Shania Twain reflected on a challenging chapter that unfolded during her 2019 Let’s Go! Las Vegas residency.
At the time, the singer struggled to accept the physical changes that came with menopause. The experience affected her confidence so deeply that she stopped wanting to see her own reflection.
“I stopped looking at myself in the mirror. I hated my body,” Twain admitted.
The singer recalled feeling overwhelmed as her body changed in ways she could not control.
She shared, “I’m, like, ‘Oh, I cannot stand this changing body.’ But that was so unhealthy. Who cannot look at themselves in the mirror?”
For Twain, the frustration stemmed from a feeling that familiar methods of maintaining her appearance no longer worked.
“So all of a sudden I’m bloating, and I’m definitely not in control. I can’t just lose five pounds,” she shared.
The loss of control became emotionally draining and eventually led her down a path she now regrets.
The Dangerous Weight Loss Habits That Took A Toll
As she searched for ways to manage the changes happening to her body, Shania Twain admitted she made decisions that negatively affected her health.
The singer explained that she began engaging in extreme efforts to lose weight while continuing to perform demanding live shows.
“And I was working my body more than I was feeding it to keep up with the strain,” she said.
The consequences were serious. Twain revealed that she became malnourished during that period and even suffered a thigh injury while performing on stage in Las Vegas.
Rather than helping her feel better, the unhealthy habits only created new physical and emotional challenges.
Looking back, the music star now views that period as a wake-up call that forced her to reconsider how she treated herself and what she expected from her body.
Shania Twain Learns To Embrace Change
Over time, Twain’s outlook began to shift dramatically.
Instead of fighting every physical change, she started focusing on acceptance and self-compassion. The transformation altered how she viewed menopause and aging.
“Now I’m like, bring on the mirrors, I’m going to look at myself all day long!” she said.
The singer also explained that menopause unexpectedly taught her a valuable lesson.
She shared, “Menopause has been very good for me because I’ve learned that some things you cannot control.”
Accepting that reality helped remove much of the anxiety she once felt about getting older.
The star now approaches life with a different perspective, one centered on appreciation rather than frustration.
A New Relationship With Aging
Shania Twain has spoken about this change in mindset before. During a 2023 appearance on the “Today” Show, she shared how accepting the aging process brought a sense of freedom she had never experienced before.
She said, “I wake up every day, in the last few years, really feeling a freedom I’ve never felt before. And that is coming with acceptance that I cannot slow the process of aging.”
She continued, “That is out of my control. So, I need to start enjoying aging. And enjoying all that comes with that.”
The singer also revealed that she has become much more comfortable with her appearance than she was in earlier years.
She said she now “feels great in my own skin” and “can look in the mirror with the lights on.”
Reflecting on that confidence, Twain added, “I’m so loving that experience. So, that is one example of freedom, feeling liberated. I really don’t mind! I walk around my bathroom, the lights on…”
The experience has helped her confront insecurities that followed her for much of her life.
“I don’t know. I feel good about facing that kind of fear that I’ve had I think all of my life when I really think about it,” she said.
Shania Twain Focuses On Health And Happiness
The country superstar continued to discuss her outlook during a 2024 interview with The Mirror, in which she explained that her priorities have changed significantly.
“I’m just feeling grateful that I have my health, that I can ride horses. I enjoy being active, being physical,” Twain said while noting that she is “well into the menopause.”
She admitted that much of her younger years were spent focusing on appearance, but eventually she realized that mindset was preventing her from appreciating herself.
“When I started to realize I had been missing out on whatever I am, I knew it was time to make a major change,” she revealed.
That realization helped her move beyond many of the insecurities that once consumed her.
Today, Twain says she “no longer feels inhibited by my body, by those silly things.”
The singer continues to thrive professionally as well. She recently hosted the Academy of Country Music Awards and took the stage at Wembley Stadium as part of Harry Styles’ Together, Together tour.
Wearing black hotpants and a fitted corset top, Twain confidently embraced the spotlight. For someone who once avoided mirrors altogether, that confidence may be the most meaningful victory of all.