Shania Twain Opens Up About Widespread Sexism She Faced Early in Her Career
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The “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” singer spoke with The New York Times about the challenges and discrimination she encountered during the early stages of her career.
Shania Twain says her path to becoming a country-pop superstar came with significant challenges, including widespread sexism during the early years of her career.
In a recent interview with The New York Times, the 60-year-old singer reflected on her childhood in Canada, her introduction to performing and the obstacles she encountered as she worked toward a career in music.
Twain recalled that she began performing at a very young age, largely because her mother encouraged her to pursue a life onstage. Her circumstances changed dramatically in 1987 when both of her parents died in a car accident. At just 22 years old, Twain took a performing job at Ontario’s Deerhurst resort to help provide for herself and her three siblings.
That experience helped her develop the skills needed for life as a professional entertainer. She learned everything from performing in high heels and handling a heavy 25-pound costume to applying stage makeup.
However, Twain said sexism was a constant presence as she entered the entertainment industry. She explained that the treatment she received sometimes caused her to pull back, but her difficult upbringing had already taught her how to deal with adversity.
By the time she relocated to Nashville to pursue her music career, Twain said she had already encountered plenty of condescending and disrespectful behavior. Rather than allowing those experiences to intimidate her, she drew confidence from everything she had overcome earlier in life.
Twain also described how she eventually became more comfortable taking control of her public image. After moving to Nashville, she began using music videos as a way to express herself and embrace her femininity on her own terms.
She said this allowed her to present herself as feminine without believing she needed to conceal that side of her personality to be taken seriously as an artist.
Now 60, Twain has also spoken about feeling increasingly comfortable and confident in her appearance. In a recent PEOPLE interview, she emphasized the importance of appreciating each day and enjoying life in the present.