LeAnn Rimes is entering a whole new era, and she’s doing it with honesty, grace, and that signature powerhouse spirit. After more than 30 years in the spotlight, the Grammy-winning country star is stepping back in front of the camera for the upcoming 9-1-1: Nashville, premiering October 9.
In her Us Weekly cover story (out today), Rimes gives one of her most candid interviews to date, reflecting on her health battles, her marriage to actor Eddie Cibrian, and what she’s learned through three decades in music and life.
On her new role, Rimes shared that playing Dixie Bennings is helping her tap into parts of herself she rarely gets to 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. It was definitely a stretch for me.”
She also opens up about the moments that forced her to rebuild from the ground up. “We all have to break — and not just once. It will happen often. Rock bottom looks different for everybody, but you have a choice. In my darkest moments, it’s always been about, how do I find the light again?”
As for what she’s facing now, Rimes is using her platform to talk openly about perimenopause, calling it “a deepening of the soul.” She says, “There’s grief that comes along with it that no one talks about. It is such a transformational and beautiful part of life if we know what’s going on with our bodies.”
She credits husband Eddie Cibrian for helping her navigate it all with humor and perspective. “He’s keeping a sense of humor in this massive transition when his wife is becoming a different person. Just having that levity is super helpful.” The two have even discussed working together again, saying, “We love working together. We’ve definitely talked about writing some stuff for us to do together in the future.”
Through it all, Rimes continues to be transparent about her health and the healing that comes from sharing it. “When I posted the picture of me with psoriasis all over me, it was such a moment of relief because I had been hiding that for so long. The same with my mental health and now with perimenopause. Every time I talk about it, I set myself—and someone else—free.”
She’s also proud of the perspective time has given her. “I’m proud of being here, because a lot of people that start at my age don’t see 43.”
Rimes’ creative streak remains strong. She reflected on her 2022 album God’s Work and its all-star collaborators—Ziggy Marley, Ledisi, Mickey Guyton, and more—calling it a reminder of the community she’s built through the years. She also spoke about mentoring younger artists on The Voice in Australia and the UK, noting, “It was important for me to go on those shows and be able to mentor other people, because I didn’t have that.”
After three decades in the public eye, LeAnn Rimes has proven she’s more than a survivor—she’s a guidepost for growth, honesty, and staying true to your voice.
Read the full Us Weekly feature here.