Shania Twain, the renowned country music star, recently shared her struggles with Lyme disease and how it affected her ability to sing. Back in 2003, after being bitten by a tick during a horseback riding session, Twain contracted the disease. However, doctors initially couldn’t pinpoint the cause of her illness that was affecting her vocal cords.
In a recent interview on the U.K’s BBC, Twain warned about the prevalence of ticks and how they can lead to serious health issues like Lyme disease. She described how the virus had damaged her vocal cords, leaving her unable to sing, project her voice, or be expressive. This took a toll on her career, as singing was a significant part of her life.
Lyme disease, a bacterial infection transmitted by ticks, affects nearly half a million people in the U.S. each year. Despite receiving treatment, 10-20% of individuals continue to experience long-lasting symptoms that can be debilitating. Twain expressed her fear and frustration at the sudden halt in her life and music career due to the disease.
For almost a decade, Twain struggled to regain her voice, describing this period as a time of grieving. She was unable to tour or record new music, leading her to explore other talents, such as songwriting. Eventually, she found a doctor who was able to diagnose and treat her condition, allowing her to undergo a successful surgery on her vocal cords.
Following her recovery, Twain made a triumphant return to the stage with a record-breaking Las Vegas residency. She has also been making waves in the music industry, performing at prestigious events like Coachella and headlining the Glastonbury Festival this summer as part of her global tour for her latest album, Queen of Me.
With over 100 million records sold, Shania Twain remains one of the best-selling female artists in country music history. Her iconic hits like “That Don’t Impress Me Much” and “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” have solidified her status as a music legend. Don’t miss the upcoming Reel Stories feature on BBC to learn more about Twain’s incredible journey.