LeAnn rimes Opens Up About Years of Hidden Health Battles, From Psoriasis to Perimenopause
LeAnn Rimes, the celebrated singer-songwriter, has revealed a prolonged period of concealing various health struggles, including a recent dental mishap and ongoing battles with chronic conditions. The 43-year-old artist detailed the emotional toll of keeping these issues private in a new interview with Us Weekly published Tuesday,emphasizing the importance of self-acceptance and open communication.
For years, Rimes felt compelled to hide aspects of her life, a secrecy she now recognizes contributed to self-doubt. “For so long, it did feel like I was hiding so much of myself,” she explained, adding that this concealment “did allow for the insecurity of thoughts I’ve had in the past about ‘I’m not pretty, I’m not good enough.'” Despite these challenges, Rimes affirmed she “did learn how to love myself thru all of my different incarnations.”
Rimes has previously been open about her diagnosis of psoriasis, a chronic autoimmune condition affecting the skin, which she frist publicly shared in 2020. She describes managing the condition as requiring a “kinder way.”
Despite these ongoing health challenges, Rimes currently feels “great,” emphasizing her focus on physical health and preparing her body for the changes it is undergoing. She has been navigating perimenopause symptoms for several years,experiencing their onset in her late 30s,and has described the experience as involving “grief.”
Rimes detailed the complexities of perimenopause, explaining it’s “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.” she believes it can be a “transformational and lovely part of life if we certainly know what’s going on with our bodies.” In July, during a conversation with Flow Space, Rimes recalled experiencing notable anxiety for two years, waking up at 3 a.m. with intense worry.
Beyond perimenopause, Rimes also manages psoriasis, a condition she acknowledges can be “emotionally exhausting” to conceal due to her public profile. She explained that managing flare-ups requires constant attention, something many people don’t have to consider. “It’s so draining because it’s something that you have to think about that most people don’t. So I was just very uncomfortable in my body for a long time.”
Last January, Rimes revealed she underwent surgery to remove precancerous cells, following abnormal pap smear results that have been present since she was 17. Doctors discovered she had high grade cervical dysplasia and recommended a LEEP procedure.
Earlier this year, in June, Rimes experienced a particularly public health scare when her dental bridge dislodged mid-performance at the Skagit Valley Casino & Resort in Bow, Washington. The incident stemmed from issues with veneers she received at age 16, requiring subsequent corrective work. In an Instagram video documenting the event,Rimes recounted,”so last night,I was on stage in the middle of One Way ticket. I feel something pop in my mouth.” She managed to complete the show, repeatedly pushing the bridge back into place. This incident necessitated multiple root canals and oral surgeries.
Alongside her musical career, Rimes is re-engaging with acting, taking on the role of Dixie Bennings in 9-1-1: Nashville, which is set to premiere on ABC on October 9. She described the role as “healing,” allowing her to explore facets of herself she doesn’t typically express. “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,” she explained. “It was definitely a stretch for me.”
