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Shania Twain says she's become more 'fearless' with age: 'Years ago, I would've been more conscientious'

Shania Twain says she has become more fearless with age. (Photo: InStyle;Danielle Levitt)
"I'm more adventurous now and I'm just excited about what is new and what I can experiment with,” Shania Twain said in a new interview. (Photo: InStyle;Danielle Levitt)

Shania Twain is ready for her next adventure.

For the cover of InStyle, the country phenom opened up about her battle with Lyme disease, her honorary auntie status and becoming more "fearless" with age.

"I'm way more fearless than I would've been. Years ago, I would've been more conscientious about, 'Is this too over-the-top?'" the Grammy-award-winning artist said in reference to her penchant for more over-the-top stylings.

"I'm more adventurous now and I'm just excited about what is new and what I can experiment with. I just love fashion for that. Just when you think there's nothing left to be created, somebody creates something new. I'm so inspired by that. When you can transform a living person just by putting something on, it's spectacular," she said

She also expressed her admiration for the naked form, as evidenced on the cover art for her 2022 single, Waking Up Dreaming.

"I love the naked body's silhouette. But fashion, it's this morphing and molding experience. When these designers are creating these silhouettes, they're molding, shaping, sculpting and it's like, 'Wow, I get to stand — I get to be in that sculpture.' It's a great experience," she said.

Her new album, Queen of Me, has a self-described party vibe, but it also serves as a testament to Twain's perseverance.

Twain underwent two open-throat surgeries as a result of nerve damage caused by Lyme disease.

"After I had the surgery, I was petrified to make a sound. I didn't know what was going to come out," she said.

Eventually, though, Twain found the courage to sing again and was pleasantly surprised with the results.

"It did scare me, but I just had to take the leap and make a sound. And I was so excited about what came out. It was a connection to the vocal cords and it came out very easily. I was really, really, really excited," she said.

Her tenacity and optimism has made her one of the most revered figures in the world of country music. But beyond the diamond records (three to be exact) and Grammy awards, one of Twain's highest honors is that of a proverbial "auntie" to the next generation of artists.

"Artists will ask for advice or will share stories and I feel a little bit like an aunt in a way. It sort of makes me feel auntie-ish, which I like. I enjoy it. I'm a nurturing person and I like to share my experiences," she said.

Serving as a mentor of sorts for the artists who look up to her was a no-brainer for Twain, who says that sharing those experiences is ultimately what it's all about.

"I've gone through them, so what good are they if I can't pass them on or share them? It's like dying with a good recipe. It's a shame. Nobody wants to keep that for themselves. I enjoy passing any of it on," she said.

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