Shania Twain says childhood bar performances sparked stage fright

Country singer Shania Twain has recalled how performing in smoky bars as a child contributed to her stage fright, describing the late-night shows as an uncomfortable experience while she was still attending school.

Country singer Shania Twain has recalled how performing in smoky bars as a child contributed to her stage fright, describing the late-night shows as an uncomfortable experience while she was still attending school.

In an interview with American Songwriter published on November 2, Twain said she often performed around midnight, when audiences were largely made up of men who had been drinking.

“I developed stage fright because I was just uncomfortable. I was breathing in really heavy, thick smoke because everybody smoked in those days in those bars. And most people were intoxicated,” she said.

“The majority of the audience were men at that time of night. I would normally go on at midnight when the bar actually closed, so the environment was inappropriate for my age. Also, I was going to be tired the next morning for school,” she added.

Despite the difficult conditions, Twain said the audience’s response helped her recognise her ability as a performer.

“The good side of it is that I realised that I was good at it. People were responding. They were applauding, and they were acknowledging that I was a standout. I realised, ‘OK, I guess I’m doing something right,’” she said.

In a previous interview with Extra, Twain said she had become better at appreciating her achievements over time.

“I’m taking it in now. All these years later. I’m absorbing more of the accolades than I did when I was receiving them,” she said.