LeAnn Rimes has been through a lot. Here’s how she’s learned to put everything in perspective, manage her stress and continue to make beautiful music.
LeAnn Rimes just finished a walk outdoors where she got down with nature and dug her feet into the grass. Now she feels refreshed, energized and stress free. Learning to live stress-free has been a big focus for the 32-year-old country and pop superstar who has lived in the spotlight since she recorded her first album at age 11 and rose to stardom at 13 following the release of Blue, her debut single. Her rich, powerful vocals drew comparisons to country icon Patsy Cline, yet Rimes was still just a grade schooler. Blue debuted at number three on the country charts and sold over 123,000 copies in it’s first week of release, and the rest is music history.
At 14, Rimes became the youngest person to win a Grammy when she won for both Best New Artist and Best Female Country Vocal Performance in 1997.
Her outstanding vocals have brought her an impressive parade of awards, and Rimes has sold over 20 million records to date.
All this time in the spotlight has brought stress along with the accolades. Fortunately, Rimes has learned to manage her stress and she’s in a good place today, mostly because she’s learned to take care of herself and to laugh at life.
Stress Management
“Being in a blended family [she’s stepmom to Cibrian’s two sons Mason, 11, and Jake, 7], that’s not so blended can be very stressful at times. Work and travel can also be stressful on my body,” says Rimes. “Any kind of stress brings inflammation to the body which can do a lot of damage.” To help combat life’s stressors Rimes eats an alkaline diet, meditates and exercises.
She has also learned to manage her stress through music, with a personal play list that includes Adele, David Grey, Prince and Aerosmith. Inspirational blogs also refocus Rimes during stressful times. “There’s this great site called MindBodyGreen that I like to read. Self-help blogs really give me perspective and take me to a calmer place,” says Rimes.
Comfort in Her Skin
Stress management is especially important to Rimes in that it helps control a severe case of eczema that she was diagnosed with at an early age. “It was so shameful for me to have this disease,” recalls Rimes. “People would stay away from me because they thought it was contagious. I had to be in the public eye covering it up because I sell my image, not just my voice. Eczema controlled me for a very long time.”
In addition to managing her stress, Rimes has found a medication that helps controls her eczema. Now she speaks to others about the skin condition, which has also helped with her self esteem. “It’s about me being able to control it; not it controlling me,” says Rimes.
Her advice for others coping with image problems is to “know that beauty is really more than skin deep. You have to find other things inside of you that you identify with and that make you whole,” says Rimes. “You have to say: ‘This is something I live with and it has nothing to do with who I am.’ It takes a long time to be able to come to that conclusion. I still forget sometimes when I see a patch [of eczema] and start worrying what’s going to happen.”
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Healthy Living
Rimes takes her health seriously. She mixes up her workouts to keep things interesting. Circuit training, yoga, Pilates, boxing, stair-stepping intervals and dance are all part of her fitness repertoire. “I have a friend who teaches a hip-hop class and she comes to the house now for me. Hip-hop is great because I don’t like most cardio workouts.”
When it comes to food, Rimes gives white flour and white sugar a miss. “They’re just not good for you,” she says. “I try to eat as much whole foods as possible, however I do allow myself to have a slice of pizza or a birthday cupcake every now and then – just not often.”
On a daily basis, Rimes tends to nosh on small meals throughout the day. “Green juice starts my day every morning. I get it at a place down the street that makes it fresh each morning. That and a scramble with soy chorizo and a little bit of cheese is how I started off my day today.” Another breakfast choice is goat’s milk yogurt with oatmeal and berries.
“I love hard boiled eggs for snacks,” says Rimes on one of her smart kitchen tricks. “They are my go-to for protein.” Other healthy snacks include: rolled up deli meat with hummus, hummus with carrots and celery, and Perfect Foods Bars.
Rimes is also big on supplements including: fish oil, Co-Q10, medicinal grade intestinal flora, liquid multi-vitamins and vitamin B12 shots (to boost her energy and stamina while on the road touring). “I think you have to keep yourself open to alternative medicines and homeopathy for complete well-being,” says Rimes.
Up Next
This fall, Rimes is coming back strong with the release of One Christmas: Chapter 1, which combines Rimes’ honest storytelling along with a New Orleans vibe. “I decided I wanted to spread it out over three years so I didn’t have to stop making Christmas music,” says Rimes. “It was just so fun to record.”
Rimes is a big fan of the holidays. “Eddie and I are just starting to build holiday traditions together. Now, having kids around, I get them up on Christmas morning (when they’re with us); they don’t get me up. I love Christmas and we go all out with decorations over the entire house. We usually go to his dad and mom’s house on Christmas Eve and his mom makes a huge Cuban feast. Food is a huge part of both our families. We eat a ton during the holidays. Even though we’re not Italian, we have lasagna the next day. I love lasagna and every year I make it a little different.” That’s the key to traditions and also life – keep what works the same, but make it a little different. VM
Pamella Roland Nightsky Navy Tile Sequin and Satin Pant available at Bergdorf Goodman ($3,960); Saint Laurent boots; ELAHN Jewels 7-Layer Ring ($1,495); M.C.L. by Matthew Campbell Laurenza Big Pave Bubblegum Ring ($745); M.C.L. by Matthew Campbell Laurenza Black Spinel Small & Large Sapphire Stacking Rings ($155 and $275); Chloe+Rae Diamond Arrowhead Necklace ($1,640); Chloe+Rae Diamond Chevron Necklace ($1,082); Chloe+Rae Diamond Dagger Necklace ($440); Chloe+Rae Diamond Tusk Necklace ($508)
Talking Fashion with LeAnn Rimes
Her Last Fashion Splurge
A Chanel bag – fringed and mushroom coloured. I have a Chanel bag collection of about 10 bags.
Her Go-To-Outfit
I love One Teaspoon, an Australian company. They make the best cut-off shorts. I pair them with a tank top, button-down shirt and tennis shoes.
Her Personal Style
Bohemian rock with a chic twist. I love being girly, but with an edge to it.
Beauty Must-Haves
Drybar dry shampoo, KMS beach spray and Ayur-Medic skincare line.
