Shania Twain recently shared insights into how she pushed her body to dangerous limits to stay thin. During a candid discussion on aging and body image, Twain acknowledged that her obsession with thinness led to unhealthy practices.

Twain, speaking to The Times, revealed, “I was malnourished. To be thinner.” In 2019, when menopause introduced inevitable changes, the singer reevaluated her relationship with her body.

Body Image Struggles and Menopause

The changes associated with menopause challenged Twain’s sense of control over her body. “So all of a sudden I’m bloating, and I’m definitely not in control. I can’t just lose five pounds,” she admitted.

These physical changes triggered a crisis of confidence for Twain. “I stopped looking at myself in the mirror,” she recalled. “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?”

Twain had embarked on a stringent exercise regimen and diet devoid of sugar and fats. “I was doing very unhealthy things,” she confessed. “And I was working my body more than I was feeding it, to keep up with the strain.”

A Journey to Self-Acceptance

Twain explained that what initially appeared devastating became a lesson in self-acceptance. “Now I’m like, bring on the mirrors, I’m going to look at myself all day long!” she noted. “Menopause has been very good for me because I’ve learned that some things you cannot control.”

Career and Personal Growth

Before achieving global stardom with her 1995 album “The Woman in Me,” Twain spent years feeling self-conscious about her appearance. She told “Extra” in 2023, “I’ve been very shy about my body from a very young age … to the point where I would not go to the beach in a bathing suit.”

Reflecting on her first hit song, “You’re Still the One,” released in 1998, Twain said the music video allowed her to step out of her daily life into a world where she made decisions offering a sense of freedom.

Known as the “Queen of Country Pop,” Twain has sold over 100 million records worldwide, influencing both country and pop music. Her career has involved overcoming personal hardships and health issues while maintaining her relevance in the music industry.

Twain expressed her eagerness to continue exploring new interests. “I just keep finding new things that I love to do. I’ve got a genuine explorer’s heart and I haven’t run out of things to explore,” she declared.