Shania Twain says ‘I don’t see myself as a feminist,’ reflects on menopause

Country music superstar Shania Twain has revealed that she does not consider herself a feminist, despite her music often being associated with female empowerment. In a recent interview with The Sunday Times Magazine, the "Man! I Feel Like a Woman" singer described herself as an "independent thinker" rather than aligning with the feminist label.

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I don’t see myself as a feminist. I see myself as a very independent thinker, and not necessarily because I’m a woman.

Twain elaborated that her independent perspective stems from her personal strength, not solely from being a woman. "I am referred to as a feminist. I think I have a lot of feminist points of view because I am so defensive of the vulnerable woman, I really am. I just feel that I’m strong as a person. I’m not strong for a woman. I’m not independent for a woman. I’m not self-sufficient for a woman. I just am a woman," she explained.

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I am referred to as a feminist. I think I have a lot of feminist points of view because I am so defensive of the vulnerable woman, I really am. I just feel that I’m strong as a person. I’m not strong for a woman. I’m not independent for a woman. I’m not self-sufficient for a woman. I just am a woman.

She further emphasized that men, like women, can be vulnerable and require protection. "It’s, like, ‘Oh, the boy needs less protection than the girl because he’s a boy.’ That is so not true, and it’s not fair," Twain stated. "Vulnerable men need just as much protection as vulnerable women."

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Vulnerable men need just as much protection as vulnerable women.

During the interview, the 60-year-old singer also opened up about her experiences with menopause. She described feeling a loss of control over her body, leading to bloating and difficulty losing weight. This perception of her changing body caused her distress, to the point where she avoided looking in the mirror before performances. Twain admitted to engaging in "very unhealthy things," including intense exercise and severe dietary restrictions, to try and manage her weight, which also exacerbated a thigh injury. She has since shifted her mindset, embracing self-acceptance and now states, "Now I’m, like, bring on the mirrors, I’m going to look at myself all day long!"

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In menopause you lose control of your body. So all of a sudden I’m bloating and I’m definitely not in control. I can’t just lose five pounds.