LeAnn Rimes

What Was LeAnn Rimes' Life Like Growing Up in Garland, Texas?

Margaret LeAnn Rimes was born on August 28, 1982, in Jackson, Mississippi. The only child of Wilbur Rimes and Belinda Butler, she moved to Garland, Texas, at six years old. She began performing at local talent shows by age five and enrolled in vocal and dance classes. Rimes started her career in musical theatre, appearing in a Dallas production of A Christmas Carol and almost landing the lead part in the Broadway production of Annie. After competing on Star Search, where she impressed host Ed McMahon, Rimes decided to pursue country music. She appeared numerous times on Johnnie High's Country Music Revue in Arlington, Texas, catching the attention of local talent scouts. By nine years old, Rimes was an experienced singer, touring nationally with her father and performing a cappella renditions of "The Star-Spangled Banner" at Dallas Cowboys football games. In 1991, she released her debut album Everybody's Sweetheart on the independent label Nor Va Jak. Following the album's success in the Dallas music community, Rimes was discovered by local disc jockey and record promoter Bill Mack. Mack was impressed by Rimes's vocal ability and spent three years trying to sign her to a major country music label. In 1994, Rimes released her second and final Nor Va Jak album, All That, which included her first version of "Blue" and the co-written song "Share My Love." Mack then secured a recording contract for Rimes with Curb Records, and she signed with the Nashville label in 1996.

What was the nature of LeAnn Rimes' career after her country music breakthrough?

Was it 1996 when country music breakthrough came with Blue?

After signing with Curb Records, Rimes recorded a new version of "Blue" as a single. According to Rimes, the record company accidentally released the version she had recorded as an 11-year-old, and that it was this version that peaked at number 10 on the Billboard chart of Hot Country Songs. Critics drew comparisons to Rimes with that of Patsy Cline, to whom the song had been pitched in 1963; Mack claimed that Cline was unable to record the song before her death. Rimes's first Curb album and third overall, Blue was released in 1996. The disc sold 123,000 copies in its first week. It peaked at number one on Billboard's Top Country Albums and debuted at number three on the Billboard 200 albums chart. In March 1999, Blue was certified six times Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). In Canada, the album was certified triple-platinum by the Canadian Recording Industry Association (now Music Canada), a certification which at the time honored shipments of 300,000 copies in that country. Two additional singles from the album made the top 40 on the Billboard country singles chart: "One Way Ticket (Because I Can)", which peaked at number one, and its follow-up "The Light in Your Eyes", which peaked at number five. "Blue" and "One Way Ticket (Because I Can)" both made top 10 on RPM Country Tracks, then the main country music chart published in Canada. Blue's commercial success led to the first of several industry award nominations for Rimes. The title track earned Rimes her first Grammy Award at the 39th Annual Grammy Awards in 1997, in the category of Best New Artist and Best Female Country Vocal Performance; she became the youngest person to win these awards. That year, the Country Music Association also awarded Rimes the Horizon Award, becoming the youngest person ever to be nominated and win a Country Music Association award. The Academy of Country Music also awarded her as Top New Female Vocalist, Song of the Year and Single Record of the Year in 1996; she would be nominated for the latter two again in 1997.

Did Leann Rimes' Chart-Topping Hits "You Light Up My Life", "Sittin' on Top of the World" Mark a Pivotal Period in Her Career?

By 1997, Rimes's parents divorced. In February 1997, Curb released Unchained Melody: The Early Years, a reissue of the previously independently released All That (1994). It was named after Rimes's cover of Alex North and Hy Zaret's 1955 standard "Unchained Melody", which was a number 3 Billboard country hit that March. Unchained Melody topped the Billboard 200 and was certified double Platinum by the RIAA. Three months later, Rimes appeared a live television special recorded at Walt Disney World in Orlando for Disney Channel in Concert. Curb released Rimes's next album You Light Up My Life: Inspirational Songs that September. It was a departure from Rimes's previous releases with more adult contemporary-styled music than country. The album was preceded by the single "How Do I Live", which became a major pop hit on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching number two. "How Do I Live" set a new record for becoming the longest-running single in Billboard Hot 100 history, spending 69 weeks on the chart. The song was ranked as the most successful song of the 1990s by Billboard magazine. Rimes made her acting debut on the ABC television film Holiday in Your Heart, which premiered on December 14. The film was based on Rimes's titular book, which was released two months earlier. The film was semi-autobiographical, with Rimes playing a country performer who discovers that her grandmother becomes hospitalized. In 1998, she played a teen runaway in an episode of NBC's Days of Our Lives. Rimes's next Curb release was Sittin' on Top of the World. The album debuted at number two on the Top Country Albums chart and at number three on the Billboard 200. The project spawned the number four Billboard country hit "Commitment", the Top 20 Pop hit "Looking Through Your Eyes" from the soundtrack of the 1998 film Quest for Camelot, and the number 10 country hit "Nothin' New Under the Moon". In October 1999, Curb released Rimes's self-titled sixth studio album. The record was a collection of country music cover songs mainly by Patsy Cline. The album debuted at number one on the Top Country Albums chart, topping the country albums chart for two weeks. It also peaked at number eight on the Billboard 200 albums chart. The album sold over one million copies in the United States, and was certified Platinum by the RIAA.

Did LeAnn Rimes release hit albums "I Need You" and "Twisted Angel" from 2000 to 2004?

In 2000, Rimes contributed "I Need You" to the soundtrack for the TV movie Jesus. The song was issued as the lead single from the soundtrack in July 2000 in both pop and country versions. It reached number eight on the Billboard country songs chart and number 11 on the Hot 100. Rimes appeared in the 2000 film Coyote Ugly and contributed four songs to its soundtrack; she was the singing voice for Piper Perabo's character Violet Sanford in the film. In August, "Can't Fight the Moonlight" was released as a single from the film's soundtrack. Marking a change in style for Rimes, it was compared to works by Britney Spears. The song became a major pop hit worldwide, charting within the top 10 of several countries. In November 2000, Rimes sued Curb to nullify her recording contract with the label; it had originally been signed on her behalf by her parents five years earlier. In January 2001, Curb released the compilation I Need You, which consists of four previously released soundtrack appearances alongside six new tracks. Rimes publicly disowned the album, saying that it was compiled from studio outtakes and released without her knowledge or input. In October 2002, Rimes released her seventh studio album Twisted Angel. The album was mainly produced by Desmond Child and contained a combination of dance-pop and adult contemporary with more adult material. In July 2003, Rimes released her first children's book, titled Jag. In November, Rimes released her Greatest Hits compilation in North America; its international counterpart The Best of LeAnn Rimes was released in February 2004. In May 2004, a single "Last Thing on My Mind" featuring Irish singer Ronan Keating was released. It was most successful in the United Kingdom, where it peaked at numbers 4 and 5 on the Scottish and UK singles charts, respectively. In October 2004, Rimes released her first Christmas album and eighth studio album What a Wonderful World.

What Was LeAnn Rimes Up to from 2005-2013?

In January 2005, Rimes's ninth studio album This Woman was released. The album was a return to her country origins and reached the top five of both the Billboard Country Albums chart and the Billboard 200. It spawned the singles "Nothin' 'Bout Love Makes Sense", "Probably Wouldn't Be This Way", and "Something's Gotta Give", all of which reached the top five of the Billboard country songs chart. In summer 2006, Rimes released the studio album Whatever We Wanna, which arrived when This Woman and its singles were experiencing a resurgence in sales. The album was only released overseas, reaching number 15 in the United Kingdom. That year, she performed the theme song to the Holly Hobbie & Friends series of animated specials and guest starred in the series' Christmas episode. In October 2007, Asylum-Curb issued Rimes's eleventh studio album Family. The project's lead single "Nothin' Better to Do" reached the top 20 of the Billboard country songs chart while the second single, "Good Friend and a Glass of Wine", reached the top 40. In the fall of that year, she appeared with Joss Stone for an episode of Crossroads on CMT. In 2008, Rimes joined Kenny Chesney on his Poets and Pirates Tour. In February 2009, the third single from Family, "What I Cannot Change", became the first country song to top the Billboard dance charts. In 2009, Rimes played the role of Meg Galloway in the made-for-television film Northern Lights which aired on the Lifetime network. She also published the collaborative self-help book What I Cannot Change with Darrell Brown and contributed to the film's soundtrack. In 2010, Rimes played a supporting role in the movie Good Intentions and contributed to the film's soundtrack. In 2011, Rimes released her twelfth studio album Lady & Gentlemen. The album contained covers of country songs originally recorded by male artists that Rimes re-recorded from a female perspective. Entertainment Weekly's Mikael Wood concluded that "The result is predictably solid, though it rarely sheds new light on the top-shelf material." The album also featured two original recordings: "Crazy Women" and "Give". Both tracks were released as singles and were minor hits on the Billboard country chart. In 2011, Rimes starred in the television film Reel Love and had a guest role on the television show Drop Dead Diva. Rimes's final album with Curb, Spitfire, was released in 2013. The project centered around her affair with future husband Eddie Cibrian and the media speculation around their relationship.

What has LeAnn Rimes been up to in her career since 2014, including her involvement with The Masked Singer?

In 2014, Rimes starred in the reality television series LeAnn & Eddie alongside Eddie Cibrian. The program aired on the VH1 network. The intention of the reality show was to "help clear the air" about their romantic relationship. After one season, the show was cancelled by VH1. In July 2014, Rimes announced that she would release three Christmas extended plays over the course of the next three years. In October 2014, the first of these planned EPs was released, One Christmas: Chapter 1, issued through Iconic Entertainment. It included the lead single, a cover of Gayla Peevey's "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas". The EP peaked at number 20 on the Top Country Albums chart and number 35 on the Top Holiday Albums list. In 2015, Rimes released Today Is Christmas through Prodigy Entertainment. A duet of "Celebrate Me Home" with Gavin DeGraw was included. The record reached number two on the Holiday albums chart and number nine on the Country Albums chart. In 2016, Rimes signed with RCA UK, an imprint of Sony Music Entertainment, and released a cover of Brandi Carlile's "The Story". It was included on her fifteenth studio album titled Remnants. First issued in the United Kingdom in 2016, Remnants was later released in the United States in February 2017. In 2017, Rimes made a cameo appearance in the film Logan Lucky where she sang "America the Beautiful". In June 2018, Rimes released Re-Imagined through EverLe Records and the Thirty Tigers label. The EP contains five tracks from her back catalogue that she re-recorded. Later in 2018, Rimes appeared in the Hallmark original television film titled It's Christmas, Eve. She recorded the film's soundtrack, which was released in October 2018. In 2019, Rimes released her first live album, Rimes: Live at Gruene Hall. In 2020, Rimes competed as "Sun" on the fourth season of the Fox reality singing competition The Masked Singer. Her identity was revealed during the season finale on December 16, 2020, where she was declared the winner of the season. In November 2020, Rimes released her sixteenth studio record Chant: The Human & the Holy. Its 12 tracks were built from chants and daily mantras rather than traditional songs. In 2022, Rimes released the album God's Work. In April 2023, Rimes collaborated with Tenille Arts on "Jealous of Myself".

Is Her Artistry a Result of Early Success or a Sign of Timeless Talent?

What's Behind LeAnn Rimes' Phenomenal Voice: A Legacy of Vocal Excellence?

Rimes's voice has been described as a soprano and often praised for its "powerhouse vocals". Critics noticed her impressive vocal abilities from her earliest recordings. Entertainment Weekly's Don McLeese commented, "Though 'Young Country' doesn't get much younger than Rimes, she already shows more poise and maturity than many artists twice her age." The Washington Post wrote in 2005, "Rimes's voice is far and away her strongest selling point. Rich and worldly, it belied her young age -- especially when she tackled a vintage-sounding country song like 'Blue'." As Rimes matured into adulthood, critics continued to praise her voice. Chrissie Dickinson of The Chicago Tribune found that while her stage presence was lacking, Rimes's voice had significant power: "But what Rimes lacked in stage electricity she made up for in vocal power. She has superlative control over that big voice, a soaring instrument that can belt and whisper within the same song." Stephen Thomas Erlewine reviewing her 2011 album Lady & Gentlemen stated, "Throughout it all, Rimes hits her marks with ease...she's become a stronger, more nuanced singer over the years." Jessica Goodman of Glamour found that her 2016 song "Remnants" "showcases the powerhouse vocals that made Rimes famous all those years ago."

What inspired LeAnn Rimes' unique sound?

Rimes has credited various performers across different musical styles as career influences, including Alanis Morissette, Reba McEntire, Wynonna Judd, Judy Garland, Barbra Streisand, and Whitney Houston. She has also mentioned the significant influence of Patsy Cline on her music. In an interview with The New York Times early in her career, Rimes commented that if she had to model hers after anyone, it would be Reba McEntire, citing McEntire's ability to stay relevant for 20 years through smart business decisions. Rimes has often been compared to Cline due to similarities in their phrasing and vocal delivery. She has stated that Cline's voice played a huge role in shaping her own unique sound, emphasizing the importance of emotional connection and authenticity in music. In 2013, Rimes performed a tribute to Cline at the American Country Awards, singing a medley of Cline's songs.

What musical styles has LeAnn Rimes explored throughout her career?

Rimes has been categorized under multiple musical genres including country, pop, contemporary Christian, adult contemporary, pop rock, and dance-pop. Her career began in the country genre with her debut album Blue and subsequent chart-topping hits. Later releases like "How Do I Live" and Sittin' on Top of the World showcased a more adult contemporary style. The song "Can't Fight the Moonlight" and album Twisted Angel also solidified her reputation as a dance-pop artist. Despite exploring various styles, Rimes remained deeply rooted in country music throughout her career, consistently charting on Billboard's Country Top 40 and occasionally achieving significant hits.

What's Been Going On in LeAnn Rimes' Personal Life?

Has Love Been Kind to LeAnn Rimes?

In 1998, Rimes dated actor Andrew Keegan when she was 15 and he was 19. They were involved in a lawsuit with Rimes's father, who claimed Keegan was trying to get his hands on Rimes's finances. The relationship ended in 2001. Shortly after the couple parted ways, Rimes met dancer Dean Sheremet at the 36th Academy of Country Music Awards in 2001. By December, they became engaged and married in a church ceremony in Dallas, Texas in 2002 when Rimes was 19. In 2003, the couple purchased a $1.7 million home in Nashville, Tennessee. In 2007, Sheremet directed the choreography for Rimes's single "Nothin' Better to Do". As their marriage progressed, Rimes devoted more time to an acting career in Los Angeles while Sheremet remained in Nashville, leading to increased separation between them. The couple separated in July 2009 and Rimes announced their plans to divorce in September. The divorce was finalized on June 19, 2010. Rimes began an affair with actor Eddie Cibrian, whom she worked with on the TV film Northern Lights. News of the affair surfaced in March 2009, leading to Cibrian's then-wife and mother of his two sons, Brandi Glanville, filing for divorce in August. In June 2010, Rimes spoke about the end of her first marriage, stating that she took responsibility for everything she had done. She moved into Cibrian's California home and the couple got engaged in December 2010. They married on April 22, 2011, at a private home in California. In 2013, the couple bought a $3 million home in Hidden Hills, California. By 2018, Rimes and Glanville had reconciled, with Glanville stating that they loved Eddie's parents and kids and were like "sister wives".

Can Country Music Royalty Come Out on Top Despite Family Challenges and Lawsuits?

From the beginning of Rimes' career, her father Wilbur managed her and served as producer on her records. In May 2000, Rimes and her mother sued Wilbur, alleging he took more than seven million dollars of her income over five years. The lawsuit claimed this money was taken from Rimes personally and a management company founded in 1995. It also included former manager Lyle Walker, who assisted Wilbur in management duties. The suit was filed in a Dallas district court. Rimes sought unspecified damages, as her attorney wasn't sure of the lost income over the preceding five years. In May 2001, she was informed by a Nashville court that she couldn't break her contract with Curb Records. As a result, she mouthed the words "I hate you" to her father. At 18, Rimes filed a lawsuit against Curb Records on her own and successfully petitioned for her minority status to be removed from the recording contract. This change made the contract binding. In 2002, Rimes' lawsuit with her father was settled on undisclosed terms. Wilbur commented, "It is difficult to express just how happy I am that all of the legal troubles between my daughter and me are over." Rimes reconciled with her father for her wedding, during which Wilbur walked her down the aisle. She told ABC News, "I've never hated my dad. I just wanted a dad. I guess I just really disliked where he was in my life. I just wanted him to be my father."

What were the health challenges that LeAnn Rimes faced in her life and career?

In 2008, LeAnn Rimes opened up about her lifelong struggle with psoriasis, participating in a PSA to raise awareness about the disease. In August 2012, she checked into treatment for anxiety and stress, stating "This is just a time for me to emotionally check out for a second and take care of myself and come back in 30 days as the best 30-year-old woman I can be." In March 2014, Rimes's jaw became dislocated while performing, ending her concert early due to temporomandibular joint dysfunction. She has publicly shared her experiences with this disorder on Twitter. Following a stress-related flare up of psoriasis in 2020, Rimes posed for a nude photo shoot for Glamour magazine as part of her efforts to raise awareness and acceptance about the disease on World Psoriasis Day (October 29). That year, she also revealed to People magazine that she had been suffering from depression since 2010: "It's something I've been very vocal about, because I feel like there's so much stigma around it."

Is Giving Back a Priority for LeAnn Rimes?

Rimes lent her voice to the 2008 song "Just Stand Up", with proceeds benefiting Stand Up to Cancer (SU2C). As a result of SU2C's fundraising endeavors, the organization was able to award $73.6 million towards cancer research in 2009. That year, she received a special humanitarian award from the Academy of Country Music for her philanthropic efforts. In December 2010, Rimes performed "The Rose" with The Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles in remembrance of gay teenagers who had committed suicide that year. On her weblog, she wrote on June 18, 2011: "I believe in equality for everyone... All I know is that in God's eyes we are all the same." In 2017, Rimes revealed that her uncle was gay and died from AIDS. She commented, "Now, every time, everywhere I get to sing—or when I get stand up alongside my LGBTQ brothers and sisters—I get to give him a voice."

What's in LeAnn Rimes' Music Vault?

Studio albums: Everybody's Sweetheart (1991) All That (1994) Blue (1996) You Light Up My Life: Inspirational Songs (1997) Sittin' on Top of the World (1998) LeAnn Rimes (1999) I Need You (2001) Twisted Angel (2002) What a Wonderful World (2004) This Woman (2005) Whatever We Wanna (2006) Family (2007) Lady & Gentlemen (2011) Spitfire (2013) Today Is Christmas (2015) Remnants (2016) Chant: The Human & the Holy (2020) God's Work (2022)

What's LeAnn Rimes' Hollywood Legacy: A Look at Her Filmography?

Holiday in Your Heart (1997) Days of Our Lives (1998) Moesha (1999) Coyote Ugly (2000) American Dreams (2003) Holly Hobbie and Friends: Christmas Wishes (2006) Northern Lights (2009) Good Intentions (2010) Drop Dead Diva (2011) Anger Management (2013) It's Christmas, Eve (2018) Country Comfort (2021)

What awards and nominations has LeAnn Rimes received throughout her career?

Rimes has won several awards for her work as a music artist, including three accolades from the Academy of Country Music and two accolades from the Grammy Awards.

What's Her Secret: Is LeAnn Rimes' Success Due to More Than Just Good Music?

Holiday in Your Heart (1997) with Tom Carter Jag (2003) Jag's New Friend (2004) What I Cannot Change (2009) with Darrell Brown