Shania Twain, the queen of country music, has always been known for her bold personality and powerful voice. But behind the glitz and glamour lies a story that's far more complex than most fans realize. In her new album, Now, Shania reveals not just her music but also her journey toward living fully in the present moment. For someone who has faced immense pain and trauma, this isn't just a musical milestone—it's a personal one. Growing up in a household marked by abuse, Shania often found herself in survival mode. "There were nights when I would lie awake, scared to fall asleep," she recalls. "I worried constantly about my father harming my mother, but the truth is, my mother could be violent too. I would wake up just to check if everyone was still breathing." These haunting memories have shaped her life, but they haven't defined her spirit.
From Pain to Power: Shania's Battle Against a Difficult Childhood
At 52, Shania has been candid about the struggles she faced growing up with Jerry Twain, her stepfather. After the painful breakup of her marriage to music producer Robert "Mutt" Lange in 2008, Shania began to confront the deep-seated pain she had buried for years. "I realized I had to dig deeper into the layers of my own trauma," she shares. "All the grief, all the disappointments, everything came rushing back." What Shania hadn't shared until now was the darkest part of her childhood: the sexual abuse she endured at the hands of her stepfather. "I learned early on how to shut it out," she explains. "It was my way of coping, my way of surviving."
Breaking the Silence: Shania's Courage to Speak Out
A close friend of Shania's told Closer that the decision to come forward was a pivotal moment in her healing journey. "She didn't want to live as a victim anymore," the friend explained. "She wanted to take control of her story and free herself from the chains of her past." This wasn't just about exposing the abuse—it was about forgiving herself for the choices she made as a child. "I thought if I told someone, if I went to Children's Aid, we'd all get separated," Shania reflects. "I couldn't bear the thought of losing my family, even though they were toxic." Instead, she stayed, finding solace in music. "While other kids played with dolls, I played with words and sounds," she says. "That's where I found my escape."
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Dr. Julie Armstrong, who isn't involved in Shania's treatment but has studied similar cases, notes that having an outlet like music can be incredibly healing. "Shania was lucky to have something creative to turn to," she says. "It allowed her to process emotions she might not have been able to articulate otherwise."
Facing Loss and Moving Forward
Another chapter of Shania's life that haunts her is the tragic car accident that claimed the lives of her parents in 1987. This was a time when her career was just beginning to take off, but instead of pursuing fame, she chose to care for her siblings. "I was completely shattered," she admits. "I couldn't imagine going on without them." It wasn't until 1993, when she met and married Mutt, that her career truly flourished. Together, they created some of the most iconic hits in country music history. But when Mutt's affair with her best friend came to light, Shania was devastated. "It was a betrayal that cut deep," she says. "But as painful as it was, I realized it wasn't as bad as losing my parents. I had to put things into perspective."
Through therapy and the love of her new husband, Frederic Thiebaud, Shania has found a new sense of peace. "I wanted to let go of the past once and for all," she explains. "It was time to come clean and move forward." With her teenage son, Eja, by her side, Shania is embracing life with renewed optimism. "Being a mom has given me a fresh perspective," she says. "It's helped me put the past behind me and focus on what truly matters." For Shania, that means living in the moment and believing in the light at the end of every tunnel.
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