LeAnn Rimes, the country music sensation who burst onto the scene as a teenager and has since become a household name, is opening up about a side of her life that fans rarely see. In a candid interview published on October 8, 2025, by Us Weekly, the 43-year-old singer and actress discussed the hidden health battles and emotional struggles she’s faced in recent years—challenges that have tested her resilience but also shaped her into the person she is today.
It’s hard to believe that the powerhouse behind hits like “Blue” and “How Do I Live” once felt compelled to hide so much of herself. But as Rimes revealed, the journey to self-acceptance has been anything but straightforward. “For so long, it did feel like I was hiding so much of myself,” she told Us Weekly. The secrecy, she explained, fed into old insecurities: “It did allow for the insecurity of thoughts I’ve had in the past about ‘I’m not pretty, I’m not good enough.’ I did learn how to love myself through all of my different incarnations.”
Rimes’ openness comes on the heels of a particularly vulnerable moment this past June, when her dental bridge unexpectedly fell out during a performance at the Skagit Valley Casino & Resort in Bow, Washington. The incident, which could have rattled even the most seasoned performer, was handled with characteristic grace. “So last night, I was on stage in the middle of One Way Ticket. I feel something pop in my mouth,” she recalled in an Instagram video to her fans. “And you know, like I said, there wasn’t a thing I could do about it except either walk off or just hold my teeth in. So, I just ran with it.”
The dental mishap was just one episode in a series of health challenges Rimes has faced. In January 2024, she underwent surgery to remove precancerous cells after doctors discovered high grade cervical dysplasia. She explained on Instagram, “January is usually a challenging month for me. Over the past couple of years, I’ve either been going through dental surgeries or recovering from a vocal hemorrhage around this time, which was all pretty depressing. But, I have to say, this January has been joyful and easeful.”
As if that weren’t enough, Rimes has long battled psoriasis, a chronic autoimmune condition that causes red, scaly patches on the skin. She first went public with her diagnosis in 2020, describing it as a “moment of relief” after years of hiding. “The same with my mental health and now with perimenopause,” she added in her recent interview. “Every time I talk about it, I set myself — and someone else — free.”
Perimenopause, in particular, has brought its own set of hurdles. Rimes began experiencing symptoms in her late 30s, a reality that left her feeling isolated and, at times, overwhelmed. “I was waking up at 3 a.m. all the time, and having really, really heavy anxiety,” she admitted during a conversation with Flow Space. “There’s grief that comes along with it that no one talks about. Perimenopause is not just about not making eggs anymore. That’s a biological piece of us changing. It’s such a deepening of the soul and allowing pieces of us that no longer serve us to fall away.”
Rather than retreat from the spotlight, Rimes has chosen to share her experiences, believing that honesty can be liberating for herself and others. “Looking back at all of those different people I was, I know that next year I’ll be different from who I am now. I hope I am,” she mused. “I’m aware of getting the chance to love all of the aspects of myself. Some of those are harder to love, but I now have the bandwidth and capacity. I can talk to myself in a kinder way.”
It’s a perspective forged through decades in an industry that can be both exhilarating and unforgiving. Rimes’ career began with a bang—she won two Grammys at just 14—and she has spent more than 30 years navigating the ups and downs of fame. “Everybody wanted to keep me this little girl forever, and that was just not possible,” she told Us Weekly. “For so long, I was afraid of all of these different aspects of myself because we’re told not to allow that out. [Now] I’m not afraid of myself any longer.”
With the support of her husband, actor Eddie Cibrian, and a close-knit circle of friends and collaborators, Rimes has found new strength. She credits her loved ones with helping her reclaim her humanity and break out of perfectionist and people-pleasing mindsets. “The people that are around me now are not yes-people at all. I have people that will tell me the hard truths when I need to hear them,” she explained. “That’s why you see me try new things, because I feel like I always have them to return to, even if something falls flat.”
Her journey has also been marked by a renewed sense of autonomy and creative freedom. As she reflected, “Everything I do at this point in my life is moving toward freedom, whether that is freedom of expression or freedom in my body or in my mind. When I find myself scared of something, I usually move toward it. I’m really in my era of exploration.”
This spirit of exploration is evident in her latest professional move: joining the cast of ABC’s 9-1-1: Nashville, which premieres October 9, 2025. Returning to acting as Dixie Bennings, Rimes described the experience as both healing and challenging. “I get to let out a side of myself that doesn’t ever come out in real life, so it’s very healing in that way. It was definitely a stretch for me,” she told Us Weekly. The role, she said, allowed her to channel her own experiences with struggle and resilience into her character, a single mother who will go to great lengths for her son.
Despite the trials she’s endured, Rimes is quick to emphasize the joy she finds in her work and her gratitude for the longevity of her career. “The best gift I’ve ever been given is to be an artist,” she said. “To have been as successful as I’ve been for as long as I’ve been, I don’t take that for granted.”
Now, as she looks to the future, Rimes is embracing change—both personal and professional—with open arms. “Thriving for me is really becoming disciplined about my health and my goals. That just allows me the space to be able to do whatever I want to from that place of really grounded care,” she reflected. “I’m proud of being here, because a lot of people that start at my age don’t see 43. I’ll cry talking about it, but I’m really proud of the fact that I’m doing good and I’m thriving.”
For LeAnn Rimes, the journey isn’t about perfection, but about growth, authenticity, and the courage to keep moving forward—teeth, trials, and all.
