As LeAnn Rimes makes her debut on The Voice UK, how the former child star overcame a controversial affair, a stint in rehab and suing her own father to join the coaching lineup

As I delve into the captivating life of LeAnn Rimes, a powerhouse vocalist and survivor, I find myself both inspired and saddened by her journey. The affair with Eddie Cibrian was a storm that threatened to capsize her ship, but she weathered it with resilience and humor, a testament to the strength of her spirit.

This coming weekend, LeAnn Rimes will finally take center stage as a coach on the latest installment of “The Voice UK,” a role she’s recognized globally for her popular country tunes.

As a die-hard admirer, let me say that this iconic artist is renowned for crafting timeless tracks like “How Do I Live” and “Can’t Fight the Moonlight,” not to mention being history’s youngest Grammy Award winner at such a tender age. Yet, despite her incredible accomplishments, she’s faced more than her share of personal hardships.

42-year-old music sensation found herself entangled romantically with her fellow actor, Eddie Cibrian, on the set of Lifetime, which ultimately resulted in a high-profile separation between him and his then-wife, Brandi Glanville.

Additionally, she found herself entangled in a heated legal dispute with her father, Wilbur, over accusations that he misappropriated her earnings during her minor years, a situation reminiscent of the struggles faced by another teenage pop sensation, Britney Spears.

As someone who has faced numerous challenges, I am thrilled to share that I am stepping into one of the iconic red chairs on The Voice, joining musical legends like Tom Jones, will.i.am, and dynamic duo Tom Fletcher and Danny Jones. This incredible opportunity promises to expand my fan base even further.

TopMob examines the journey of a prominent Texan export, who battled personal challenges, now imparts wisdom to emerging pop sensations in the UK.

Legal battles with her father

As LeAnn Rimes makes her debut on The Voice UK, how the former child star overcame a controversial affair, a stint in rehab and suing her own father to join the coaching lineup

Initially, LeAnn gained recognition at the tender age of 13, primarily due to the release of her debut single “Blue”. Notably, her father Wilbur and mother Belinda were instrumental in guiding her career and financial affairs during this period.

But just a year later, her parents underwent a bitter divorce.

At the age of 17, Rimes brought a legal action against her father Wilbur and her ex-manager Lyle Walker, alleging that they had unlawfully amassed over seven million dollars from her funds.

Wilbur filed a counter-lawsuit and claimed that LeAnn has a problem with overspending, with the singer later saying: ‘I was being called a spoiled brat by some people. But, you know, people don’t know me.’

In 2002, the lawsuit concluded without revealing the specifics. At that time, Wilbur shared his sentiment by stating, “I am incredibly joyful that all the legal disputes between me and my daughter have come to an end.”

2005 saw LeAnn sharing with ABC News about the lawsuit, stating: “I’ve never harbored hate towards my dad. What I yearned for was a dad. To put it simply, I didn’t like where he stood in my life. All I wanted was him to be the father I needed.”

The court case frequently brought up analogies to Britney Spears’ conservatorship, as LeAnn herself pointed out the resemblances in an interview with The Independent.

She expressed: ‘In the limelight, people often seek to capitalize on your fame. By the close of the day, you transform into a product rather than a person, which is deeply saddening for her.’

‘And I’ve been there – I’ve experienced a lot of the same things. My heart deeply goes out to her.’

Prior to her marriage to Dean Sheremet, Rimes had made amends with her father following a court case, and it was her father who escorted her down the aisle during the wedding ceremony.

Mental health struggles

Earlier, LeAnn revealed that her struggles with anxiety and depression started during her teenage years.

In a conversation with PEOPLE, she expressed, “I felt an overwhelming void and melancholy amidst happiness. It was necessary for me to embody LeAnn Rimes, the public figure, rather than LeAnn Rimes, the individual. I was quite divided.”

On her 30th birthday in 2012, overwhelmed by panic attacks, lack of sleep, and the aftermath of her affair, LeAnn chose to seek help at a rehab center as a means to break free from her intense dependence on others, also known as ‘deep codependency.’

In the year 2022, she shared with Insider: “I found myself in an extremely isolated and gloomy state. I’ve never truly been by myself before. There was always someone nearby – be it a parent, manager, agent, publicist, spouse, or other figure.”

It had become necessary. I needed to step back from my strong attachment to others and understand the chemical factors affecting me, so I could learn to care for myself effectively.

At a tender age, the star confessed to having attained great success, but the strain associated with this achievement significantly impacted her psychological well-being.

“She expressed that growing up in the spotlight at a young age, requiring me to suppress my human nature, likely played a significant role in my struggles with anxiety and depression, which seemed to be set off by these circumstances.”

Previously, in an interview with Entertainment Tonight regarding her time spent in rehabilitation, LeAnn expressed that she believes very few individuals can truly comprehend the journey she has taken, transitioning from a child star to maintaining a successful career afterwards.

‘I find it challenging to articulate, but please understand that I’m not seeking anyone’s pity. It boils down to a straightforward yet complex realization – I must learn to navigate my own emotions and the world around me, as everyone seems focused on observing me from the outside. I simply need to discover effective ways of dealing with this situation.’

A shocking affair

LeAnn Rimes’ first marriage to backup dancer Dean Sheremet started in 2002, but it ended unexpectedly when news broke about her romantic involvement with her co-actor Eddie Cibrian during the production of the TV movie “Northern Lights.”

The pair started their fling while she was married Dean and he to Brandi Glanville, with whom he shares two sons Mason, 21, and Jake, 17.

Instead of ending their secret relationship upon discovery, surprisingly, both marriages dissolved, and they got married in 2011.

LeAnn was subjected to significant backlash due to the affair, and later confided in PEOPLE that it took a heavy toll on her psychological well-being.

In the year 2020, she acknowledged, “Clearly, I bear significant accountability for errors made, yet throughout my life, I’ve always valued others’ opinions of me. Therefore, the public criticism was a profound burden I carried.”

She realized she was holding a great deal of hidden sorrow, which disrupted her sleep and caused anxiety. Over time, it all built up, leaving her no choice but to succumb.

Initially, I tried to avoid dealing with my own suffering, fearing I might become overwhelmed by it, she explained. However, that wasn’t the case. Many people feel embarrassed to discuss such matters and seek assistance. Yet, eliminating the stigma around it is crucial.

After their marriage, LeAnn and Eddie moved into a $3 million mansion in LA’s Hidden Hills in 2013.

In 2014, the duo appeared in a reality TV series on VH1, which they themselves produced as an ironic take on the controversy that swirled around their affair, according to LeAnn’s later statements.

She shared with The Independent: “Either you break under the pressure, or find humor in it – I believe we chose the latter as a way to mock everything around us.”

After surviving the aftermath of their affair, the bond between LeAnn and Eddie seems more robust than before, as seen in a recent photo where he lends his support to her during filming for The Voice Australia this past year.

Although they don’t have kids together, she serves as a stepmother to his sons from his previous marriage with Brandi.

Joining The Voice UK

After winning over Australian audiences on The Voice, I’ve now found myself joining the esteemed panel of coaches for the British edition of this popular talent show, sharing the stage with newcomers Tom Fletcher and Danny Jones.

After the announcement, LeAnn expressed her genuine enthusiasm and gratitude for being chosen as a coach on The Voice UK and joining an extraordinary group of mentors.

Working and fostering fresh, dynamic talent in the UK signifies a heartfelt new phase of bonding with the loyal fans I’ve shared strong relationships with for years.

I’m excited to share my experiences, my heart, and advice from my personal music path, as well as unearthing the remarkable musical skills the UK is known for.

Emma Willis returns as host, where each contestant steps onto the stage, aiming to capture one of the iconic red seats and secure a transformative recording contract with musical powerhouse EMI, along with a 50,000 pound prize and a trip to Universal Studios Florida.

2024-08-31 10:35

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