Wild Card: Shania Twain

On Wild Card, famous guests answer the kinds of questions we often think about but don’t talk about. Country legend Shania Twain reflects on what she looks forward to about getting older.

A Conversation with Shania Twain

NPR’s Rachel Martin sits down with Shania Twain to discuss her thoughts on aging, her experiences with identity, and the lessons she’s learned throughout her life.

Shania Twain: I think it’s really interesting that people are so fascinated by the idea of aging, and yet, we’re all doing it. And it’s like, we’re all in this together, you know? We’re all just trying to figure it out, and I think that’s really beautiful.

Rachel Martin: That’s a really interesting perspective. Can you tell me a little bit about what you look forward to about getting older? What do you think is going to be the most exciting part of this next chapter in your life?

Shania Twain: Well, I think one of the things that I’m really looking forward to is just being able to be myself, without any pretenses or expectations. I think as we get older, we start to realize that we don’t have to be who we think we should be. We can just be who we are, and that’s really liberating.

Rachel Martin: That’s a great point. And I think that’s something that a lot of people struggle with, especially as they get older. They feel like they have to maintain this image or this persona, and it’s exhausting.

Shania Twain: Exactly. And I think that’s one of the things that I’ve learned from my experiences with identity, is that it’s okay to change your mind. It’s okay to evolve and grow, and that’s something that I think a lot of people struggle with.

Rachel Martin: That’s really wise. Can you tell me a little bit about your experiences with identity? How did you come to realize that it’s okay to change your mind?

Shania Twain: Well, I think for me, it started when I was a teenager. I was a very introverted person, and I was always trying to fit in. And I think that’s when I started to realize that I was trying to be someone that I wasn’t. And it was exhausting, and it was painful, and it was really hard to deal with.

Rachel Martin: That must have been really tough. But it sounds like you’ve come a long way since then.

Shania Twain: Yeah, I have. And I think that’s one of the things that I’m most proud of, is just being able to be myself, without any pretenses or expectations. And I think that’s something that I’m going to continue to work on, as I get older.

Lessons Learned

Rachel Martin: What are some of the lessons that you’ve learned throughout your life, that you think are worth sharing with others?

Shania Twain: Well, I think one of the most important lessons that I’ve learned is the importance of self-acceptance. I think that’s something that a lot of people struggle with, and it’s something that I’ve had to work on, especially as I’ve gotten older.

Rachel Martin: That’s a great point. And I think that’s something that a lot of people can relate to. Can you tell me a little bit more about what you mean by self-acceptance?

Shania Twain: Well, I think self-acceptance is just being able to accept yourself, without judgment. It’s being able to see yourself as you are, and to love yourself, just the way you are. And I think that’s something that’s really hard to do, but it’s also really important.

Rachel Martin: That’s a really beautiful way to put it. And I think that’s something that a lot of people can learn from.

Shania Twain: Yeah, I do too.