Country music icon Shania Twain is heading back to center stage. The ’90s country music superstar has officially been announced as the host of the 61st Academy of Country Music Awards, marking a major moment for one of country music’s most recognizable voices.
With decades of hits, record-breaking success, and a lasting impact on the genre, Shania Twain remains one of the biggest names in country music. With that in mind, here are five fast facts to know about the ACM host before the big night.
1. Shania Twain Was Born in Canada in 1965
Country music legend Shania Twain was born in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, in 1965. She was born Eilleen Regina Edwards to Sharon Morrison and Clarence Edwards. Her parents divorced when she was two, and her mom moved her and her two sisters, Jill and Carrie Ann, to Timmins, Ontario.
Growing up in Timmins, Ontario, Twain had a rough childhood. Her mom married Jerry Twain, an Ojibwa from the Mattagami First Nation. Jerry adopted Shania and her sisters, changing their last name from Edwards to Twain.
Twain noted in her memoir that her adoptive father was abusive toward her mother. She also revealed that Sharon had run away with her children to a homeless shelter in Toronto for a short stint before returning home with the children to live with Jerry.
With her parents having difficulty paying bills and putting food on the table, Shania also started singing at bars at the age of eight in the local town of Timmins. When she was 14, she was invited to perform on the CBC’s “Tommy Hunter Show.”
2. Shania Twain’s 1993 Debut Studio Album Was a Commercial Failure
During the early ‘90s, Twain gained attention from a few record labels. After signing with Mercury Nashville Records, she officially changed her name from Eilleen to Shania.
Twain’s self-titled debut album was released on April 20, 1993. The album peaked at No. 67 on the US Country Albums Chart. However, it failed to sell many copies, making Twain’s first go-round in Nashville a bust. However, that’s not how the story ended for Shania Twain.
3. Shania Twain Rose to Fame in 1995
After the commercial failure of her first album, Shania Twain began working with rock producer Robert John “Mutt” Lange. Together, the duo co-wrote every song apart from one on Twain’s second studio album, “The Woman in Me.” The 12-track album was released on February 7, 1995.
The first single released from the album, “Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under?,” reached No. 11 on the Billboard Country Chart. Its success was quickly followed up by “Any Man of Mine,” which soared to No. 1 and cracked the Top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100.
By the mid-1990s, the album had transformed Twain from a struggling newcomer into one of country music’s fastest-rising stars.
4. Shania Twain Is One of the Best-Selling Female Country Artists Ever
Shania Twain has released six studio albums over her career. Her two ’90s albums, “The Woman in Me” and “Come On Over,” solidified her place as a legend in country music.
Twain has sold over 100 million records and earned the nickname “Queen of Country Pop” in the late ‘90s. Her 1997 album, “Come On Over,” sold more than 40 million copies worldwide and still stands as the best-selling country album by a female solo artist.
Along with her commercial success, Twain has won five Grammy Awards and has been inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. Her influence helped bridge the gap between country and mainstream pop audiences.
5. Shania Twain Is a Wife and Mother
Shania Twain married her co-writer, Mutt Lange, on December 28, 1993. The couple welcomed their son, Eja D’Angelo Lange, on August 12, 2001. In 2008, it was revealed that Twain’s husband, Mutt, was having an affair with her best friend, Marie-Anne Thiébaud.
Twain’s divorce from Mutt was finalized on June 9, 2010. That same year, Twain announced her engagement to Swiss Nestlé executive Frédéric Thiébaud, who is the ex-husband of Marie-Anne Thiébaud.
Thiébaud and Twain tied the knot on January 1, 2011. Upon their marriage, Twain became a stepmother to Frédéric’s daughter, Johanna. The country singer has publicly stated that she wishes she had more children, but is very proud of her son and stepdaughter.
In a 2017 interview, Twain said, “I have a beautiful stepdaughter, and I have a beautiful son. I’m very happy. I just love being a parent, and I would have loved to have had more kids.” It’s clear that Twain’s blended family has remained an important part of her life away from the spotlight.
As Twain prepares to take the stage as host of the 61st ACM Awards, fans will get to see the country icon return to the spotlight in a major way. The ceremony promises plenty of memorable performances, surprise moments, and a chance to watch one of country music’s biggest legends lead the night.
The 61st Academy of Country Music Awards will stream live on Amazon Prime on May 17 at 8 p.m. EST/ 5 p.m. PST, giving fans a chance to watch Shania Twain host one of country music’s biggest nights.
