Country artist Shania Twain has disclosed that her stepfather assaulted her as a child, both physically and sexually. In an interview with The Sunday Times, Twain claimed that she learned to defend herself and her mother by fighting back, but the experience left her resentful and guilty.

Twain claimed that to keep her stepfather at bay, she also tried to conceal her femininity.

She started creating songs to deal with her emotions and the “unpleasant stuff” that happened outside her house, making her feel “ashamed” to be a woman.

When Twain was 22 years old, her mother and stepfather perished in a car accident, leaving her to care for her younger siblings. To help her family, she started singing at a resort hotel, but she struggled with feeling objectified.

With the release of her successful records, including Come On Over, she gradually figured out how to feel secure while performing as a woman, and her career took off.

Twain claimed that she had recovered from the scars left by the violence she experienced as a child and is now more assured and unapologetic about being a woman.

She hopes that sharing her story will encourage young women to embrace their authenticity and self-assurance. “By the time I had record deals, I was the type of lady who made people feel uncomfortable as soon as she entered a room.”

“My physical expression made it obvious. I believe that young girls may also learn to emanate that confidence,” she added.

During the interview, Twain also talked about her upcoming album, The Queen of Me, which is scheduled for release in February 2023. According to her, the album tackles themes of self-acceptance and empowerment and depicts her path of rehabilitation. She wishes to encourage others to accept their uniqueness and honesty.