LeAnn Rimes burst on the entertainment scene as a child. She soared to massive acclaim with her hit single, "Blue." That was in 1996 when she was 14 years old. Now 43, Rimes has survived health issues and other challenges, eventually emerging stronger and wiser. With her new TV drama, 9-1-1: Nashville, premiering tonight, she shared candidly about tough times and high points of her personal and professional life and growth.
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Rimes Says That Many Still Saw Her as a Little Girl Even After She Grew Up
Per Us Weekly, the singer and actress said, "Everybody wanted to keep me this little girl forever, and that was just not possible. For so long, I was afraid of all these different aspects of myself because we're told not to allow that out. [Now} I'm not afraid of myself any longer."
She's Ready for the Future
Rimes sounds fiercely independent these days. She won't be pigeon-holed, stereotyped, or bossed around. She is in control - firmly. Per the outlet, she clarified that. "I'm really in my era of exploration. I've always been one where as soon as somebody tries to fit me into a box, I break out of it in every way possible. I'm still in that era and forever will be — probably even more so now. I've done this for so long that I'm lucky enough to get to choose what roles I want to play, what songs I want to sing."
Rimes Stopped Prioritizing "People-Pleasing"
Many women seem to focus on making others around them happy, while neglecting themselves. Rimes quit doing that, she said. "The biggest piece for me was my perfectionist mindset and the people pleasing. The great thing about life happening is I have plenty to draw from for my art. But reclaiming that humanity for myself — and allowing myself to get messy — was the most pivotal point. This all came through a lot of deep work. This is not like, 'Oh, I'm just going to decide one day to change the way I think and live.'"
She is committed to her music and doing what feels right for her. "I love what I do. I don't think I could ever walk away from that because making music truly feels like it's a soul need [but[ my 'why' is very different these days: to be able to communicate my feelings and to be able to connect with other people."
Her Role on '9-1-1: Nashville'
Rimes seemingly thrives on challenges. Her role on the new TV series apparently is among them. "It was definitely a stretch for me," she acknowledged. "Dixie [her character on the show] is obsessed with her son. There's nothing she wouldn't do for her son as a single mom. But she definitely feels like she's been slighted in life. She will go to every extreme in order to get what she feels like she's owed — including manipulating his love."
Surviving Health Problems
Rimes has dealt with her share of health difficulties, such as psoriasis, depression, perimenopause, and anxiety. She seems to be in a very good place now, though. "I feel good even though I have my hormonally challenged days. Going through perimenopause is no joke. But for the most part, I feel really good in my body."
