Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Shania Twain

Discover the career path of Shania Twain, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Shania Twain is a highly successful Canadian singer and songwriter, renowned as one of the best-selling music artists of all time. Having sold over 100 million records, she holds the distinction of being the best-selling female artist in country music history. Often dubbed the "Queen of Country Pop," Twain spearheaded the country-pop crossover movement of the 1990s, according to Billboard.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1984: Recognition by Toronto DJ Stan Campbell

In the autumn of 1984, Toronto DJ Stan Campbell recognized Shania Twain's talents and wrote about her in a Country Music News article, praising her powerful voice and drive.

1991: Recording Contract and Immigration Status

In 1991, Shania Twain received a recording contract in Nashville and applied for immigration status to the United States. Through her adoptive father, she became legally registered as having 50 percent indigenous American blood.

1992: Backing Vocals for Jeff Chance's Album

In 1992, Shortly before her album release, Shania Twain sang backing vocals for Jeff Chance's album 'Walk Softly on the Bridges'.

April 20, 1993: Release of Self-Titled Debut Album

On April 20, 1993, Shania Twain's self-titled debut album was released in North America, gaining her audiences outside Canada.

June 1993: Meeting Mutt Lange

In June 1993, Shania Twain met producer Robert John "Mutt" Lange at Nashville's Fan Fair and they became close after speaking on the phone for many months.

1993: Debut Album Release

In 1993, Shania Twain's self-titled debut studio album was released by Mercury Nashville Records, but it was a commercial failure.

February 7, 1995: Release of 'The Woman in Me' Album

On February 7, 1995, Shania Twain released 'The Woman in Me' album, co-written with Mutt Lange. The album included twelve tracks, eight of which were released as singles.

1995: Release of 'The Woman in Me'

In 1995, Shania Twain rose to fame with her second studio album, 'The Woman in Me'. This album, produced in collaboration with Robert John "Mutt" Lange, achieved widespread success, selling over 20 million copies worldwide and earning her a Grammy Award.

1996: Newsweek Article Defending Twain's Vocal Abilities

In 1996, Newsweek defended Shania Twain from critics who attributed her refusal to tour to her inability to replicate her studio singing live, describing her voice as "a warm, languid alto sweetened with a wisp of bedroom allure".

1996: Song Featured in 'Twister' Soundtrack

In 1996, Shania Twain's song "No One Needs to Know" was selected for the original soundtrack of the film 'Twister', marking a first for Twain.

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1997: Release of 'Come On Over' Album

In 1997, Shania Twain released her follow-up album, 'Come On Over', establishing her as a successful crossover singer with twelve of its sixteen tracks released as singles.

1998: VH1 Divas Concert Appearance

In 1998, Shania Twain gained mainstream pop acceptance by appearing in the first edition of the VH1 Divas concert. She performed alongside Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Gloria Estefan, Carole King, and Aretha Franklin.

1998: Launch of First Major Concert Tour

In 1998, Shania Twain launched her first major concert tour, aided by Jon Landau. The Come On Over Tour shows were successful, winning the "Country Tour of the Year" awards.

1998: European Release of Remixed 'Come On Over'

In 1998, the album 'Come On Over' was released in a remixed format for the European market as a pop album, giving Shania Twain a breakthrough in Europe. The album went to No. 1 on the UK album charts for 11 weeks.

1999: Most Played Adult Contemporary Artist

In 1999, Billboard magazine declared Shania Twain the most played adult contemporary artist on US radio.

1999: "Country Tour of the Year" Awards

In 1999, Shania Twain's The Come On Over Tour shows were successful, winning the "Country Tour of the Year" awards for the second year in a row.

1999: Certification of Debut Album

In 1999, Shania Twain's debut album was certified platinum by the RIAA, denoting sales of over 1 million copies.

1999: VH1's Behind the Music Feature

In 1999, VH1 heavily aired Behind the Music, which focused on the tragic aspects of Shania Twain's early life, her physical attractiveness, and Nashville's initial resistance to her bare-midriff music videos.

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2000: Cancellation of Christmas Album

In 2000, Shania Twain was initially scheduled to release a Christmas album, but plans to release one were cancelled later in the year.

2002: Release of 'Up!' album

In 2002, Shania Twain released her fourth studio album, 'Up!', which produced eight singles. The singles included "I'm Gonna Getcha Good!", "Ka-Ching!" and "Forever and for Always".

2003: Hosting the Juno Awards

In 2003, Shania Twain hosted the Juno Awards, and was described by Brad Wheeler of The Globe and Mail as "an international icon and Canada's sweetheart", despite rumours of diva behavior.

2004: 'Come on Over' Certified Double Diamond

As of 2004, 'Come on Over' had sold over 20 million copies in the United States and was certified Double Diamond by the RIAA.

2004: Appearance in I Heart Huckabees

In 2004, Shania Twain appeared as herself in the feature film I Heart Huckabees.

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2004: Release of 'Greatest Hits' and Hiatus

In 2004, after releasing her 'Greatest Hits' album, which included the single "Party for Two", Shania Twain entered a hiatus due to being diagnosed with Lyme disease and dysphonia, which severely weakened her singing voice.

January 2005: Partnership with Scentstories by Febreze

In January 2005, Shania Twain joined Scentstories by Febreze to create a limited edition scent disc with the proceeds going to Feeding America.

September 2007: Release of 'Shania Starlight' Fragrance

In September 2007, Shania Twain released a second fragrance called "Shania Starlight" in partnership with Coty.

2007: 'The Woman in Me' Certified Diamond

As of 2007, 'The Woman in Me' had sold over 12 million copies in the United States and was certified Diamond by the RIAA.

November 12, 2008: CMA Awards Surprise Appearance

On November 12, 2008, Shania Twain made her first television appearance since her split from Lange as a surprise presenter at the 42nd CMA Awards.

2009: Guest Judge on American Idol

In 2009, Shania Twain served as a guest judge on American Idol for the show's August 30 and 31 episodes.

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April 2010: Announcement of TV Show 'Why Not? with Shania Twain'

In April 2010, Shania Twain announced plans for her own TV show, titled Why Not? with Shania Twain.

2010: Shania Kids Can Charity

In 2010, Shania Twain established Shania Kids Can, a charity focused on supporting neglected children who are often underserved by existing social assistance programs.

March 27, 2011: From This Moment On Autobiography Release

On March 27, 2011, Shania Twain's autobiography, "From This Moment On", was published.

May 8, 2011: 'Why Not? with Shania Twain' Debut

On May 8, 2011, Shania Twain's TV show, Why Not? with Shania Twain, debuted on OWN.

2011: Return with 'Today Is Your Day' and Autobiography

In 2011, Shania Twain returned to the music scene with her first single in six years, "Today Is Your Day", and published her autobiography, 'From This Moment On', chronicling her vocal rehabilitation.

2011: Displeasure Expressed About Debut Album

In her 2011 autobiography, 'From This Moment On', Shania Twain expressed her displeasure with her debut studio album, citing a lack of creative control.

2014: End of Las Vegas Residency

In 2014, Shania Twain's exclusive concert residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, titled 'Shania: Still the One', concluded.

2015: Launch of 'Rock This Country Tour'

In 2015, Shania Twain launched the North American 'Rock This Country Tour', which was promoted as her farewell tour.

September 2017: Guest Star on Broad City

In September 2017, Shania Twain guest starred as herself on the Comedy Central series Broad City, in an episode titled "Twaining Day".

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October 23, 2017: Guest Judge on Dancing with the Stars and Performance of 'Soldier'

On October 23, 2017, Shania Twain appeared as a guest judge in the 25th season of Dancing with the Stars during the show's "Movie Night", and she performed her song "Soldier".

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2017: Release of 'Now' Album

In 2017, Shania Twain released her first studio album in 15 years, titled 'Now'.

January 2018: Competition on Drop the Mic

In January 2018, Shania Twain competed against singer Meghan Trainor in an episode of TBS's Drop the Mic.

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June 21, 2018: Lip Sync Battle Tribute Episode

On June 21, 2018, Shania Twain was the guest of honor for a Lip Sync Battle episode on Paramount Network pitting Derek Hough against Nicole Scherzinger that was dedicated to her and her music.

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November 2018: Appearance on Real Country as Executive Producer and Co-Presenter

In November 2018, Shania Twain appeared in the reality talent show Real Country as an executive producer and co-presenter with Jake Owen and Travis Tritt.

2018: Guest Judge on Rupaul's Drag Race

In 2018, Shania Twain appeared as a guest judge on episode five of the 10th Season of Rupaul's Drag Race.

2018: Start of 'Now Tour'

In 2018, Shania Twain embarked on the 'Now Tour' to support her album 'Now'.

2019: Appearance in the film Trading Paint

In 2019, Shania Twain appeared in the film Trading Paint, co-starring alongside John Travolta.

2019: Second Las Vegas Residency

In 2019, Shania Twain began her second Las Vegas residency, titled 'Let's Go!', at the Zappos Theater.

2019: Interest in Collaboration with Post Malone

In 2019, Shania Twain expressed interest in collaborating with Post Malone, claiming to have written a song for the two of them.

2020: Role in the film I Still Believe

In 2020, Shania Twain played the role of the mother of singer Jeremy Camp in the biographical film I Still Believe.

2023: Appearance on Starstruck and The Kardashians

In 2023, Shania Twain appeared on the panel for the second series of ITV's Starstruck and also appeared in season four, episode seven of the reality series The Kardashians.

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