Shania Twain has spoken about past struggles with body image and unhealthy weight control habits, reflecting on how menopause has shifted her perspective on self-image.
In her exclusive interview with The Times, the country icon described a difficult period during her 2019 Las Vegas residency when she became distressed by changes in her body. She said that at the time, she avoided mirrors entirely because she felt uncomfortable with her appearance.
“I stopped looking at myself in the mirror. I hated my body. I’m, like, ‘Oh, I cannot stand this changing body.’ But that was so unhealthy. Who cannot look at themselves in the mirror?”
Shania Twain explained that aging and hormonal changes left her feeling out of control physically, particularly when previous routines stopped working in the same way.
The From This Moment hitmaker recalled frustration with bloating and difficulty managing weight in a way she had been used to earlier in her career.
“So all of a sudden I’m bloating, and I’m definitely not in control. I can’t just lose five pounds. I was doing very unhealthy things. And I was working my body more than I was feeding it to keep up with the strain.”
Shania Twain admitted she engaged in harmful behaviors in an effort to stay thin, saying her approach to fitness and nutrition became unbalanced. The singer said she pushed her body heavily through intense physical demands while not properly supporting it with adequate nourishment.
The You’re Still The One songstress also reflected on how those habits affected her health more broadly, noting that the combination of strain and insufficient recovery left her weakened and contributed to an injury during performances.
Shania Twain on the impact of menopause on her health
Despite those challenges, Shania Twain said her experience with menopause has ultimately helped her develop a healthier outlook. She described this stage of life as having a positive impact on her self-confidence and relationship with her body.
“Now I’m like, bring on the mirrors, I’m going to look at myself all day long! Menopause has been very good for me because I’ve learned that some things you cannot control.”
Now 60, the country star said her focus has shifted away from strict physical expectations and toward acceptance of natural changes over time. In fact, this is not the first time she has talked about body positivity and embracing her figure as she gets older.
In 2023, Shania Twain shared with the New York Post her decision to pose nude for her album, Queen of Me.
“Well, I’m the opposite from being an exhibitionist. But I like to feel sexy, and I like to enjoy my body more now than ever. I used to hate my body. So when my body was young and, I guess, maybe one wouldn’t be afraid of exhibiting it, I was hiding it a lot.”
The Man! I Feel Like a Woman star added:
“I think I needed to capture where I am right now, because it’s a moment that I want to remember. I’m perfectly the way I should be. This is the way I should be at my age. I’m fine with it. And I’m not afraid of it anymore. It’s all good.”
Edited by Gladys Altamarino