Rise to Success: Career Highlights of LeAnn Rimes
Discover the career path of LeAnn Rimes, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
LeAnn Rimes is an American singer, songwriter, and actress who achieved fame as a country music artist at the young age of 13. She has successfully transitioned into pop, contemporary Christian, and various other musical genres throughout her career. Since 1996, Rimes has had over 40 singles on international charts, selling over 48 million records globally, including 20.8 million albums in the U.S., according to Nielsen SoundScan. Billboard recognized her success by ranking her 17th in sales for the 1990s.
1991: Release of Everybody's Sweetheart
In 1991, LeAnn Rimes released her debut album, Everybody's Sweetheart, on an independent label called Nor Va Jak.
July 1994: Release of All That with First Version of "Blue"
In July 1994, LeAnn Rimes included her first version of "Blue" on her second Nor Va Jak release, All That. She also co-wrote "Share My Love" for the album.
1994: Previously released All That
The album Unchained Melody: The Early Years released in February 1997, was a reissue of the previously independently released All That album, in 1994.
1996: Singles on international charts
In 1996, LeAnn Rimes began placing more than 40 singles on international charts, marking the start of her successful career.
1996: Release of the Blue Album
In 1996, LeAnn Rimes released her first Curb album and third overall, titled Blue. The album sold 123,000 copies in its first week and peaked at number one on Billboard's Top Country Albums and number three on the Billboard 200 albums chart.
1996: Signing with Curb Records
In 1996, LeAnn Rimes signed a recording contract with Curb Records in Nashville.
1996: Signing with Curb Records and Release of "Blue"
In 1996, LeAnn Rimes signed with Curb Records and released the single "Blue", which became a top-10 hit on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. Her first Curb album, also titled Blue, was certified Platinum six times, establishing her as a major country artist.
February 1997: Release of Unchained Melody: The Early Years
In February 1997, Curb released Unchained Melody: The Early Years, a reissue of the previously independently released All That album. It was named after Rimes's cover of "Unchained Melody".
1997: Acting Debut in Holiday in Your Heart
In 1997, LeAnn Rimes began her acting career with the film Holiday in Your Heart.
1997: Grammy Award, Pop Crossover with "How Do I Live", and "You Light Up My Life" Album Release
In 1997, LeAnn Rimes received the Grammy Award for Best New Artist and Best Female Country Vocal Performance, becoming the youngest winner in these categories. She also crossed over into pop music with "How Do I Live", which became one of the best-selling singles of the 1990s. The track was included on her album You Light Up My Life: Inspirational Songs, which was certified quadruple Platinum.
1998: Release of Sittin' on Top of the World
In 1998, LeAnn Rimes released the album Sittin' on Top of the World, which spawned the country hit "Commitment" and the pop hit "Looking Through Your Eyes". The album was certified Platinum.
1998: ABC Movie Contract
In 1998, LeAnn Rimes was offered a three-movie contract by ABC, marking a significant step in her acting career.
October 1999: Release of LeAnn Rimes album
In October 1999, LeAnn Rimes released her sixth studio album, titled LeAnn Rimes, which she co-produced with Wilbur. The album was a collection of country music cover songs, mainly by Patsy Cline, and it was certified Platinum.
1999: Release of LeAnn Rimes album
In 1999, LeAnn Rimes released the album LeAnn Rimes, which was certified Platinum.
July 2000: Release of "I Need You" and appearance in "Jesus" soundtrack
In July 2000, LeAnn Rimes contributed the song "I Need You" to the soundtrack of the 1999 TV movie Jesus and released it as the lead single. The song reached number eight on the Billboard country songs chart and number 11 on the Hot 100.
November 2000: Lawsuit against Curb Records
In November 2000, LeAnn Rimes initiated legal action against Curb Records to nullify her recording contract, which had been originally signed by her parents five years prior.
January 2001: Release of 'I Need You' compilation album
In January 2001, Curb Records released the compilation album 'I Need You', which comprised four previously released soundtrack appearances alongside six new tracks. LeAnn Rimes publicly disowned the album, stating that it was compiled from studio outtakes and released without her consent or input.
November 2001: New agreement with Curb Records
In November 2001, LeAnn Rimes was released from her original contract with Curb Records and subsequently signed a new agreement with the label under revised terms.
2001: Release of I Need You Album
In 2001, LeAnn Rimes' album I Need You was released and subsequently certified Platinum, compiling several pop singles for soundtrack albums.
March 23, 2002: Reissue of "I Need You" Album
On March 23, 2002, the album "I Need You" was reissued with additional tracks.
October 1, 2002: Release of 'Twisted Angel' album
On October 1, 2002, LeAnn Rimes released her seventh studio album, 'Twisted Angel'. Produced mainly by Desmond Child, it marked a drastic departure from her previous work, blending dance-pop and adult contemporary styles.
2002: Release of Twisted Angel
In 2002, LeAnn Rimes released the Gold-certified pop album Twisted Angel.
July 2003: Release of Children's Book "Jag"
In July 2003, LeAnn Rimes released her first children's book titled Jag.
February 2004: Release of 'The Best of LeAnn Rimes' compilation
In February 2004, LeAnn Rimes's international compilation album 'The Best of LeAnn Rimes' was released.
October 2004: Release of 'What a Wonderful World' Christmas album
In October 2004, LeAnn Rimes released her first Christmas album and eighth studio album, titled 'What a Wonderful World'.
2004: Release of What a Wonderful World
In 2004, LeAnn Rimes released the Christmas record What a Wonderful World.
January 2005: Release of the Album "This Woman"
In January 2005, LeAnn Rimes's ninth studio album, 'This Woman,' was released, marking a return to her country music origins.
2005: Release of This Woman
In 2005, LeAnn Rimes returned to her country origins with the album This Woman, which produced three country hits and was certified Gold.
2006: Release of "Whatever We Wanna" and Guest Role in "Holly Hobbie & Friends"
In 2006, LeAnn Rimes released the album "Whatever We Wanna" overseas and also performed the theme song and guest starred in the Christmas episode of the "Holly Hobbie & Friends" series.
2006: Release of Whatever We Wanna
In 2006, LeAnn Rimes released the album Whatever We Wanna.
October 2007: Release of the album "Family"
In October 2007, Asylum-Curb issued LeAnn Rimes's eleventh studio album Family. Every track on the album features writing credits from Rimes.
2008: Joining Kenny Chesney's Poets and Pirates Tour
In 2008, LeAnn Rimes joined Kenny Chesney on his Poets and Pirates Tour.
February 2009: "What I Cannot Change" Tops Billboard Dance Charts
In February 2009, the single "What I Cannot Change" from Family became the first country song to top the Billboard dance charts.
March 2009: "Northern Lights" air date
In March 2009, 'Northern Lights', a made-for-television film starring LeAnn Rimes, aired on the Lifetime network. The movie became the network's most-watched television movie, with four and a half million viewers.
April 14, 2009: Publication of "What I Cannot Change"
On April 14, 2009, LeAnn Rimes published the collaborative self-help book "What I Cannot Change" with Darrell Brown.
2009: Blue album sales
As of 2009, LeAnn Rimes' Blue album has sold over eight million copies worldwide.
2010: Appearance in Good Intentions
In 2010, LeAnn Rimes appeared in the film Good Intentions.
2010: Supporting role in 'Good Intentions'
In 2010, LeAnn Rimes played a supporting role in the movie 'Good Intentions' and contributed to the film's soundtrack.
2011: Appearance in Reel Love
In 2011, LeAnn Rimes appeared in the film Reel Love.
2011: Release of "Lady & Gentlemen" Album and appearances in TV Films
In 2011, LeAnn Rimes released her twelfth studio album "Lady & Gentlemen", co-produced with Vince Gill, featuring covers of country songs originally recorded by male artists. She also starred in the television film "Reel Love" and had a guest role on the television show "Drop Dead Diva".
2011: Release of Lady & Gentlemen
In 2011, LeAnn Rimes released the album Lady & Gentlemen.
2013: Release of "Spitfire" and Guest Appearance on "Anger Management"
In 2013, LeAnn Rimes released her final album with Curb Records, "Spitfire". She also made a guest appearance on the FX television show "Anger Management".
2013: Release of Spitfire
In 2013, LeAnn Rimes released the album Spitfire.
July 2014: Announcement of Christmas EP Trilogy
In July 2014, LeAnn Rimes announced her plans to release three Christmas extended plays over the following three years.
October 2014: Release of 'One Christmas: Chapter 1' EP
In October 2014, LeAnn Rimes released the first of her planned Christmas EPs, 'One Christmas: Chapter 1', which included a cover of "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas".
2014: Starring in 'LeAnn & Eddie' Reality TV Series
In 2014, LeAnn Rimes starred alongside Eddie Cibrian in the reality television series 'LeAnn & Eddie,' which aired on the VH1 network.
2015: Release of Today Is Christmas
In 2015, LeAnn Rimes released the Christmas album Today Is Christmas after ending her long-time professional relationship with Curb Records.
2016: Release of Remnants
In 2016, LeAnn Rimes released the pop studio album Remnants, which featured two number one Billboard dance club hits.
2016: Signing with RCA UK and Release of "The Story"
In 2016, LeAnn Rimes signed with RCA UK and released a cover of Brandi Carlile's "The Story".
February 2017: U.S. Release of "Remnants" album
In February 2017, LeAnn Rimes released her fifteenth studio album, "Remnants," in the United States.
June 2018: Release of 'Re-Imagined' EP
In June 2018, LeAnn Rimes released the 'Re-Imagined' EP, containing re-recorded tracks from her back catalog and a collaboration with Stevie Nicks on "Borrowed".
October 2018: Appearance in "It's Christmas, Eve"
In October 2018, LeAnn Rimes appeared in the Hallmark original television film "It's Christmas, Eve", and she recorded the film's soundtrack, which included covers of Christmas standards and new recordings composed with Darrell Brown.
2018: Appearance in It's Christmas, Eve
In 2018, LeAnn Rimes appeared in the film It's Christmas, Eve.
2019: Release of 'Rimes: Live at Gruene Hall' album
In 2019, LeAnn Rimes released her first live album, 'Rimes: Live at Gruene Hall'.
2020: Release of Chant: The Human & the Holy
In 2020, LeAnn Rimes released the album Chant: The Human & the Holy.
2022: Release of God's Work
In 2022, LeAnn Rimes released the album God's Work.
2024: Coaching on The Voice Australia and The Voice UK
In 2024, LeAnn Rimes was featured as a coach on The Voice Australia and The Voice UK.
2025: Cast as Dixie Bennings on 9-1-1: Nashville
In 2025, LeAnn Rimes was cast as Dixie Bennings on 9-1-1: Nashville.
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