LeAnn Rimes

This article is about the artist. For the album, see LeAnn Rimes (album).

LeAnn Rimes
LeAnn Rimes in October 2009
Background information
Birth name	Margaret LeAnn Rimes
Born	August 28, 1982 (1982-08-28) (age 29) Jackson, Mississippi, United States
Origin	Dallas, Texas
Genres	Country, pop
Occupations	Singer, songwriter, actress, author
Years active	1994–present
Labels	Curb
Associated acts	Eddie Cibrian, Ronan Keating, Brian McFadden, Marc Broussard
Website	Official Website

LeAnn Rimes (born August 28, 1982) is an American country/pop singer. She is known for her rich vocals and her rise to fame as an eight-year-old champion on the original Ed McMahon version of Star Search, followed by the release of the Patsy Cline-intended single "Blue" when Rimes was only age 13, resulting in her becoming the youngest country music star since Tanya Tucker in 1972.^[1]

Rimes made her breakthrough into country music in 1996. Her debut album, Blue, reached #1 on the Top Country Albums chart and was certified multiplatinum in sales by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The album's eponymous leadoff single, "Blue," which was originally intended to be recorded by Patsy Cline in the early 1960s, became a Top 10 hit. With immediate success, Rimes attained widespread national acclaim for her similarity to Cline's vocal style. When Rimes released her sophomore studio effort in 1997, You Light up My Life: Inspirational Songs, Rimes went more towards country pop material, which would set the trend for a string of albums that would be released into the next decade.^[1][2]

Since her debut, Rimes has won many major industry awards, which include two Grammys, three ACMs, one CMA, twelve Billboard Music Awards, and one American Music award.^[3] In addition, Rimes has also released ten studio albums and four compilation albums through her record label of 13 years, Asylum-Curb, and placed over 40 singles on American and international charts since 1996. She has sold over 37 million records worldwide, with 20.3 million album sales in the United States according to Nielsen SoundScan.^[4] She was ranked the 17th Artist of the 1990-00 decade by Billboard.^[5]

Early life

Born Margaret LeAnn Rimes (in Pearl, Mississippi), she is the only child of Belinda Butler Rimes and Wilbur Rimes. The family relocated to Garland, Texas when she was six years old. She was singing by the age of two, was enrolled into vocal and dance training, and by the age of five was performing at local talent shows.^[6][7] One of her best friends, Jordan Villarreal, supported her when she sang. Rimes initially began her career in musical theatre, performing in a Dallas, Texas production of A Christmas Carol, and almost landed the lead part in the Broadway production of Annie. However, after appearing on the network television competition show — and clearly charming host Ed McMahon in addition to the more important fact of being a one-week champion on — Star Search, Rimes decided to pursue a career in country music. Following her national television appearance, Rimes made a number of appearances on Johnnie High's Country Music Revue in Arlington, Texas, which garnered the attention of national talent scouts.^[7]

By the age of nine, LeAnn was already an experienced singer. She toured nationally with her father and also regularly performed a cappella renditions of "The Star Spangled Banner" at the opening ceremonies of the Dallas Cowboys football games. In order to bring his daughter more national attention, he began recording her under the independent label Nor Va Jak when she turned eleven. She released three albums under the label between 1992 and 1996.^[7]

Rimes was discovered by Dallas disc jockey and record promoter, Bill Mack. Mack was impressed by Rimes' vocal ability, and over the following three years, he also made various attempts to bring Rimes to a mainstream level. The center of Mack's plan to bring her success was his self-penned composition, "Blue," which he had written in the early 1960s. Mack claimed that the song was intended to be recorded and made a hit record by Patsy Cline, but she had been killed in a plane crash before ever recording the composition. By 1995, Mack was able to gain Rimes a contract with Curb Records, after record executives heard Rimes sing "Blue."

Music career

1996: Blue

After signing with Curb, Rimes re-recorded a new version of "Blue" that was to be released on her debut studio album on the label. In 1996, the new version of "Blue" was released as a single, peaking at Number 10 on the Billboard Country Chart.^[8] While Curb was releasing "Blue," a claim was also sent out that Mack had been waiting over 30 years to find the perfect artist to record "Blue." However, the story was later found to be an exaggeration, as it was discovered that "Blue" had already been recorded by three different artists. Mack himself and Kenny Roberts both released versions of the song on Starday Records in the 1960s. In 1993, Australian artist Catherine Britt released her own version as a single in her native country. The story, though, was continually spread throughout the national press, adding to the idea that Rimes was the successor to Patsy Cline's legacy.^[6] Rimes's album Blue was also released in 1996, and sold 123,000 copies in its first week, which was the highest figure in SoundScan history up to that point. The album peaked at Number 1 on the Top Country Albums and debuted at Number 3 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, eventually selling a total of four million copies in the United States and 8 million copies worldwide.^[2][6][9] Allmusic considered the album to be "delightful" and that it could "help inspire other young teens."^[10] Rimes followed up the single with several charting country singles from her 1996 album, starting with "One Way Ticket (Because I Can)", which reached Number 1 on the Billboard Country Chart in 1996. She also released a duet single with Eddy Arnold from the album, a remake of his 1955 hit "The Cattle Call".^[1][8] The album's other hits included the Top 5 "The Light in Your Eyes" and the minor hit "Hurt Me."

With the album's success, Rimes received many major industry awards. In 1997, she won the Country Music Association's "Horizon Award," becoming the youngest person to ever be nominated and win a Country Music Association award. The following year she was awarded Grammy Awards, one for Best New Artist and another for Best Female Country Vocal Performance for "Blue". She is the youngest person to win a Grammy, at 14 years old. She was also the first Country music artist to win the Best New Artist.^[6]

1997–2001: Pop crossover and Worldwide Success

LeAnn Rimes performing a free concert for the airmen at Ramstein Air Base, Germany on September 23, 2004.

In 1997, Rimes released a compilation of previously recorded material under the Nor Va Jak label, Unchained Melody: The Early Years. The album mainly consisted of cover versions, ranging from Country to pop covers, including songs originally recorded by The Beatles, Whitney Houston, Bill Monroe, and Dolly Parton.^[11] Rimes' version of the title track became a major country hit in early 1997 and helped increase sales for the album.^[8] In September 1997, Rimes released her follow-up studio album to Blue titled You Light up My Life: Inspirational Songs. The album covered classic inspirational songs, such as "Clinging to Saving a Hand" and "Amazing Grace". It also featured pop music remakes of songs such as Debby Boone's "You Light up My Life" and Bette Midler's "The Rose". The album was a departure from Rimes' previous releases as it contained more Adult Contemporary-styled music than Country.^[12] The album sold over four million copies in the United States, certifying 4× Multi-Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.^[13] The album contained the single "How Do I Live", which became a major pop hit on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching Number 2.^[8] "How Do I Live" set a new record for becoming the longest-running single in Billboard Hot 100 history, spending 69 weeks on the chart.^[9] The song was originally recorded for the film Con Air, along with a version also recorded by Trisha Yearwood. Yearwood's manager at the time had told the press that Rimes' version sounded "too pop". Therefore Rimes' version received little country airplay (only reaching Number 43) and was rejected for the film. Yearwood's rendition was released to country radio shortly afterwards, peaking at Number 2 on the Billboard Country Chart in 1997, becoming the country hit instead of Rimes' version.^[8][14]

Rimes released her third album for Curb in May 1998, Sittin' on Top of the World. The album leaned more progressively towards Adult Contemporary and mid-tempo pop music. It included pop material written by Carol Bayer Sager and David Foster.^[2] It also included a remake of Prince's "Purple Rain" and was produced by her father. The album was given mixed reviews. Allmusic gave the album two out of five stars.^[15] Rolling Stone said Rimes vocal style "holds her own in the more popular style of Mariah Carey and Celine Dion, wherein a spectacular voice upstages a song, grins and goes on about her business."^[16] Upon its release, Sittin' on Top of the World debuted at Number 2 on the Top Country Albums chart, and Number 3 on the Billboard 200,^[17] and sold over a million copies in the United States, certifying "Platinum" in sales by the RIAA.^[13] The album spawned the Number 4 Country hit "Commitment", the Top 20 Pop hit "Looking Through Your Eyes", and the Number 10 country hit "Nothin' New Under the Moon".^[8]

Rimes released her fourth studio album for Curb, LeAnn Rimes, in October 1999, a collection of country standards.^[18] The album covered songs mainly by Patsy Cline – which included "Crazy", "I Fall to Pieces", and "She's Got You" – that were primarily taken from her 12 Greatest Hits album. The album also covered Marty Robbins's "Don't Worry" and Kris Kristofferson's "Me and Bobby McGee". The album included one new song, "Big Deal". The song gained many positive reviews. Allmusic called the song, "a return to her roots" and "a salute to one of her idols, Patsy Cline." The album in general received much praise. Allmusic called the album one of her "better" efforts, since they had disliked her previous releases.^[19] Entertainment Weekly gave the album a positive review and said that Rimes's voice, "dares listeners to take note of what is missing in her interpretations -- the gutsiness and gut-wrenching urgency of performers who felt what they sang."^[20] The album was a major success like her previous releases, debuting at Number 1 on the Top Country Albums chart, topping the country albums chart for two weeks. In addition, it also peaked at Number 8 on the Billboard 200 albums chart.^[21][22] The album also sold over one million copies in the United States, and was certified "Platinum" in sales by the RIAA.^[13] The album's new song, "Big Deal", was the lead single off the album, and became a Top 10 country hit that year, peaking at Number 6.^[8] Also in 1999, Rimes recorded a duet with Elton John for the stage musical Aida, titled "Written in the Stars".^[7] The song became a Top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. The album would spawn a second single, a cover of Cline's "Crazy" that was released outside of the United States.

In 2000, Rimes would make her full crossover into pop music. On March 8, 2000, Rimes contributed to the soundtrack from the 1999 TV movie Jesus,^[8] called Jesus: Music From & Inspired by the Epic Mini Series.^[23] The song, "I Need You", would be released as a single from the soundtrack on July 18, 2000.^[24] "I Need You" was characterized by Allmusic as having similarities to that of Adult Contemporary and Pop music.^[25] The song became a Top 10 country hit and also a major pop hit, reaching Number 11 on the Hot 100. Rimes would make her first theatrical acting debut in the 2000 film Coyote Ugly. She would also contribute four songs for the film's soundtrack on August 1, 2000.^[26]. Two singles were released from the Coyote Ugly soundtrack. "Can't Fight the Moonlight" was released as a single for the soundtrack on August 22, 2000 with the second single from the soundtrack, "But I Do Love You", as the B-side track.^[27] By February 2002 "Can't fight the Moonlight" became a crossover Pop hit, reaching Number 11 in United States and becoming the highest selling single of 2001 in Australia. "Can't Fight the Moonlight" won Rimes a Blockbuster Entertainment Award for "Favorite Song from a Movie."^[22]

In January 2001, Curb Records released another compilation of previously recorded material, I Need You. The album topped the Top Country Albums chart for one week, and also peaked at Number 10 on the Billboard 200.^[22] I Need You did not garner praise from many critics and was mainly given negative reviews. Rolling Stone gave the album two and a half out of five stars and called the album, "synthetic-feeling."^[28] Despite very little praise from critics, the album was sold well, certifying "Gold" in sales by the RIAA.^[13] Rimes would later go on to publicly disown the album, which she stated was compiled together from studio outtakes her father had produced and that it was released without her knowledge or input.^[29] At the time, during the litigation with her label, Rimes was asking "that Curb give Rimes the rights to all past recordings and videos, give up all publishing interests in her compositions and destroy all currently available recordings."^[30]

In mid-October 2001, Curb released a compilation of patriotic and inspirational songs, titled God Bless America, in order to benefit the disaster recovery for the September 11 attacks. It included the title track, as well as inspirational songs such as "The Lord's Prayer" and "The Sands of Time".^[31]

2002–2004: I Need You, Twisted Angel, Greatest Hits

LeAnn Rimes performing a free concert for the airmen at Ramstein Air Base, Germany on September 23, 2004.

In February 2002 Rimes reissued the I Need You album with 9 of the songs originally released on the album, an extended version of the song You Are, the song "Light the Fire Within", which she sang at the Olympics the previous year, and 4 bonus remixes. Rimes would later that year release her seventh album (sixth studio album) titled Twisted Angel, which contained more adult material.^[8] After battling managerial control over her career the previous year, Twisted Angel became the first album released by Rimes that was not produced by her father.^[32] Instead, Rimes executive produced the album. A month following the album's release, Twisted Angel was certified "Gold" by the RIAA, her second Gold-certified album.^[13] The album received mainly negative reviews by most music critics and magazines. Allmusic stated that the album could possibly "alieniate her from her original fans" and "the songwriting is a little uneven."^[32] Rolling Stone gave the album two out of five stars, stating that the album sounded too "country-pop crossover."^[33] The album peaked at Number 3 on the Top Country Albums chart and Number 12 on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart.^[34] Three singles were spawned from the album between 2002 and 2003, however none of the singles were Top 40 hits on the country or pop charts. The lead single, "Life Goes on", reached the Top 40 only on the Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks chart, peaking at Number 19. The second single, "Tic Toc" was a Top 40 Dance club hit in 2003.^[22] The third single, "Suddenly" only peaked at 43 on the US Country charts, 47 on the UK charts and 53 on the Australian charts.

The following year when Rimes turned 21, she released a Greatest Hits compilation in November.^[22] The album recapped Rimes' major hits under Curb records from "Blue" in 1996, to "Life Goes on" in 2002. The album peaked at Number 3 on the Top Country Albums chart and Number 24 on the Billboard 200 in November.^[35][36] Featured on the album was the song, We Can, which was originally released as a single for the Legally Blonde 2 soundtrack in July 2003. The album would eventually be certified "Platinum" in 2007. The following year in October 2004, Rimes issued her first holiday-themed album titled, What a Wonderful World.^[22]

2005–2006: Return to country; This Woman

In January 2005, Rimes released her seventh studio album, This Woman, her first album of contemporary country music in many years.^[6] Although the album received mixed reviews from magazines and critics, it was Rimes' best-selling album in over five years,^[37] reaching Number 3 on the Billboard 200 and Number 2 on the Top Country Albums chart in 2005,^[38] selling more than 100,000 copies within its first week. Rimes explained to the Chicago Sun-Times that the album helped mature her as a person, "I have 10 years of experience, so it's tough to get anything past me in this business. I've become a very strong woman because of all I've gone through, good and bad."^[9] This Woman would eventually be certified "Gold" later in 2005, after selling more than 500,000 units nationwide.^[22] The album's singles were Rimes's first Top 10 hits on the Hot Country Songs chart in five years. The three singles released from the album — "Nothin' 'Bout Love Makes Sense", "Probably Wouldn't Be This Way", and "Something's Gotta Give" — all peaked within the Top 5 on the country charts between 2005 and 2006.^[8] From the album, Rimes was nominated for a Grammy award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance for "Something's Gotta Give". In addition, she was also nominated for an American Music Award for "Favorite Female Country Artist." In 2006, Rimes recorded a cover version of Barbara Mandrell's "If Loving You Is Wrong (I Don't Want to Be Right)", for a tribute album to Mandrell's career titled, She Was a Country When Country Wasn't Cool: A Tribute to Barbara Mandrell.^[22] Rimes also would record a track for Disneyland's fiftieth anniversary celebration album titled, "Remember When."^[7]

In summer 2006, Rimes released the studio album Whatever We Wanna, which was released exclusively outside of the United States and Canada. It was originally planned on being released in North America, however due to the success of This Woman, it was never released. The album spawned three singles, "And It Feels Like", a duet with Brian McFadden titled, "Everybody's Someone" and "Strong". The album leaned more towards Pop Rock and R&B music instead of country.^[39]

Rimes would release one final single in the US from her album This Woman in August 2006 called "Some People" which would peak at 34 on the US country charts.

2007–2009: Family

Rimes took a two year break, and then released her next studio album in October 2007, Family. The album was a mix of country, pop, and rock music, and included a duet with Bon Jovi, "Til We Ain't Strangers Anymore".^[9] Family was the first album released by Rimes in which every track was co-written by Rimes herself.^[37] Rolling Stone said the songs on the album are "uneven" and rated it three and half out of five stars.^[40] Allmusic gave Family four out of five stars and said that the album, "illustrates her range as a singer along with some true strength as a writer."^[41] The album helped nominate Rimes for the Academy of Country Music's "Top Female Vocalist" award in 2008.^[9] The album's lead single, "Nothin' Better to Do" was released in mid 2007, and peaked at Number 14 on the Billboard Country Chart before the end of the year. The album has released two singles to date; "Good Friend and a Glass of Wine" and "What I Cannot Change."^[6]

In 2008, Rimes toured with Kenny Chesney where she opened every show on his 2008 Poets and Pirates Tour, along with other artists on select dates such as Brooks & Dunn, Keith Urban, Sammy Hagar, Gary Allan, Big & Rich, and Luke Bryan.^[42] In late 2008, Rimes was nominated for a Grammy award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance for "What I Cannot Change", the third single from the album.^{[citation needed]} In 2008, she recorded For Good with Delta Goodrem for the Wicked 5th Anniversary album.^[43] LeAnn teamed up with Joss Stone for a CMT Crossroads special aired in fall 2007.^[44]

2010–present: Lady & Gentlemen & 14th Studio Album

Despite singing new material at several live shows earlier in the year, it was announced, on May 24, 2010 by Rimes via her Twitter account, that her new studio album would be a cover album of country songs, titled Lady & Gentlemen.^[45][46] The first single from the album is a cover of John Anderson's 1983 single, "Swingin'. LeAnn first debuted the song at the 2010 CMT Music Awards. The single was released on June 8, 2010. According to LeAnn Rimes' official website, she is planning on re-recording her hit, "Blue" for the new album. She stated that she wants "the album to be perfect." Since she is doing this, the album would take a longer waiting time to come out. On November 8, 2010, LeAnn released her second single titled "Crazy Women" to radio. "Crazy Women," "Blue" and "Tonight The Bottle Let Me Down" were announced, in the same post, as the three extra tracks that LeAnn went back in the studio to add to the album. A third single, "Give", debuted at #60 in July 2011. Rimes announced via her Twitter account on July 17, 2011 that the new release date for her Lady & Gentlemen album would be September 27, 2011.She has also stated that her next studio album is already done and will be released next year.^[47]

Musicianship

Vocal ability and musical stylings

Since her debut in 1996, Rimes' voice and vocal style have often been compared to and identified with Patsy Cline. Cline showed distinctive emotional expression in most of her material. Rimes has also used distinctive emotional expression in many of her songs, most notably her first single, "Blue", which was sung in the style of Cline. Rimes' vocal similarities to Cline had brought wide interest to the idea that Rimes was the successor to Cline's legacy, and brought her novelty appeal. Many music critics have argued that Rimes' vocals were only a reproduction of Cline's original sound, while others have disagreed.^[7] Allmusic has called Rimes' vocals "rich and powerful."^[6] Her vocal ability has also brought Rimes to comparisons to past teenage country stars, including 50s country star Brenda Lee and 70s country star Tanya Tucker. Rimes was also known for choosing mature material that was beyond her age range. In her first album, Rimes recorded such material as Deborah Allen's "My Baby", whose lyrics provocatively say, "my baby is a full-time lover, my baby is a full-grown man."^[2] Other material such as Diane Warren's "How Do I Live" had also been considered too mature for Rimes' age and was the main reason why her version of the song was not chosen to be used in the soundtrack for the film Con Air.^[14]

Influences

Rimes has given credit to artists from various music genres, mainly from the genres of country and pop. She has stated that Barbra Streisand, Wynonna Judd, and Reba McEntire have been primary influences on her career.^[48] Rimes has stated the main influence on her career is Patsy Cline. She has covered many of Cline's hit songs since the beginning of her career. Her 1999 self-titled album is primarily a tribute to Cline, as Rimes recorded five out of ten songs for the album that had been hits for Cline years before.^[19]

Film and television

After beginning to date actor Andrew Keegan in 1998, Rimes said to the press that she had some ideas about possibly getting involved in an acting career. Rimes later moved to Los Angeles, California later in the year with her mother to pursue an acting career.^[9] That year Rimes played a role in the Made for television movie, Holiday in Your Heart, which is based on a book she had helped write. For participating in the film, Rimes was awarded the "Rising Star" award from the Lone Star Film & Television Awards.^[18] She made her official film debut in 2001 for Coyote Ugly, providing the singing voice for Piper Perabo's character Violet Sanford^[49] and making a cameo appearance towards the end of the film. In addition, she also recorded four songs for the film's soundtrack, including the Top 20 Pop hit, "Can't Fight the Moonlight."^[7] In 2005 Rimes hosted the country music television competition, Nashville Star on the USA television network. However she only held the position for one season after deciding to depart from the show's cast.^[37]

In early June 2007, she was chosen at the last minute to record the leading song for the soundtrack of Evan Almighty called "Ready For A Miracle" (previously recorded by Patti LaBelle). The song can be heard in the movie, during the end credits, and in the trailers of Evan Almighty.^[50] Rimes played in the movie Good Intentions with her friend Elaine Hendricks which is filming near Atlanta, Georgia.^[51] Rimes plays Meg Galligan in the made for TV movie, Northern Lights, based on the Nora Roberts novel of the same name. The film aired on the Lifetime network on March 12, 2009.^[52]

In 2007 Rimes began hosting The Colgate Country Showdown, a nation wide televised country music talent competition, similar to that of American Idol or Nashville Star. In 2011 Rimes hosted the show for her 5th consecutive year, when the show switched sponsorship, to Texaco.^{[53][unreliable source?][unreliable source?]}

Personal life

President George W. Bush and Laura Bush listen to LeAnn Rimes perform in the East Room of the White House in a performance honoring the Dance Theatre of Harlem on February 6, 2006

Lawsuits

On May 21, 2000, Rimes filed a lawsuit against her father, Wilbur Rimes, and her former manager, Lyle Walker in Dallas, Texas. Rimes claimed that her father and former manager took over seven million dollars from her in the preceding five years. Rimes also alleged that both men made unreasonable fees and took advantage of Rimes' label, Asylum-Curb, in order to acquire financial gain. Rimes sought unspecified damages because her attorney was not sure of how much money had been lost in the preceding five years. According to Rimes' lawyer, her mother hired two accountants to investigate how much was taken from Rimes's fortune, and it was estimated that the men acquired around eight million dollars in royalties.^[7] In 2002, Rimes's lawsuit with her father was "settled on undisclosed terms."^[9] Rimes reconciled with her father for her wedding.^[54]

In November 2000, Rimes filed a second lawsuit against her label, Asylum-Curb. Rimes wanted permission to be released from the contract that was signed by her parents on Rimes' behalf when she originally signed with the label in 1995. She also wanted her label to turn over the rights of her music, video work, and publishing interests, and destroy all of her recordings that were currently available to the label at the time of the lawsuit.^[30] Part of Rimes's legal battles ended in December 2001, when Asylum-Curb started a new contract with Rimes.^[7]

Marriages

Amid the legal battles, Rimes fell in love with backup dancer Dean Sheremet. The two had met when he was chosen to dance during Rimes's hosting of the 2001 Academy of Country Music Awards. After her first date with Sheremet, Rimes told InStyle Magazine: "This is the guy I want to marry."^[9] The couple married the next year, in 2002. In July 2009, the couple separated and in September 2009, Rimes announced their plans to divorce.^[55][56] The divorce was finalized on June 19, 2010, exactly six months after Sheremet filed divorce documents for dissolution of marriage.^[57]

Rimes is currently married to Northern Lights co-star Eddie Cibrian, with whom she had a well-publicized extramarital affair prior to the split from Sheremet.^[58][59] Cibrian, the father of two children, left his wife for Rimes and filed for divorce in August 2009, after eight years of marriage.^[60] In June 2010, Rimes spoke for the first time about the end of her first marriage, stating that, while she was sorry that people were hurt, she had no regrets about the outcome of the affair.^[61] On December 27, 2010, it was announced via Billboard that Rimes and Cibrian were engaged.^[62] The couple wed on April 22, 2011 at a private home in California.^[63]

Philanthropy

In 2008, she opened up about her lifelong struggle with the autoimmune disease psoriasis. She participated in a PSA to raise awareness about the disease.^[64]

Rimes lent her voice to the 2008 song "Just Stand Up." The proceeds benefited Stand Up to Cancer. As a result of SU2C fundraising endeavors, the SU2C scientific advisory committee, overseen by the American Association for Cancer Research, was able to award $73.6 million towards cancer research.^[65]

On December 19, 2010, she performed "The Rose," joined by The Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles^[66] in remembrance of the many gay teenagers who committed suicide in 2010. On her weblog she wrote on June 18, 2011: "I believe in equality for everyone. I believe everyone should have the right to love and commit to whomever they want. [...] All I know is that in God's eyes we are all the same. I just wish we could see through the eyes of God more often."^[67]

Wealth

According to "Celebrity Net Worth", Rimes has a current estimated net worth of just under $38 million as of 2011,^[68] and is one of the richest female country singers in America.

Discography

Main article: LeAnn Rimes discography

• 1996: Blue
• 1997: Unchained Melody: The Early Years
• 1997: You Light up My Life: Inspirational Songs
• 1998: Sittin' on Top of the World
• 1999: LeAnn Rimes
• 2001: God Bless America
• 2002: I Need You
• 2002: Twisted Angel
• 2003: Greatest Hits
• 2004: What a Wonderful World
• 2005: This Woman
• 2006: Whatever We Wanna
• 2007: Family
• 2011: Lady & Gentlemen

Filmography

Year	Name	Role	Other notes
1997	Holiday in Your Heart	Herself	Main Role
	Moesha	Herself
1998	Days of Our Lives	Madison	1 episode
2000	Coyote Ugly	Herself	cameo/singing voice: Piper Perabo
2003	American Dreams	Connie Francis	Season 3 episode; "Where the Boys Are"
2004	Extreme Makeover Home Edition	Herself	Cox Family; guest star
2006	Holly Hobbie and Friends: Christmas Wishes	Kelly Deegan	TV film
2008	Good Intentions	Pam	Released on DVD March 9, 2010
2009	Northern Lights	Meg Galligan	TV film Released on DVD October 6, 2009
	I Get That a Lot	Waitress	Television special (1 episode)
2010	Extreme Makeover Home Edition	Herself	Lighthouse School; guest star
2011	Drop Dead Diva	Lana Kline	Season 3 episode; "Hit and Run"
	Reel Love	Holly Whitman	TV film

Awards

Country Music Association awards

Year	Award	Notes
1997	Horizon Award

Academy of Country Music awards

Year	Award	Notes
1996	Top New Female Vocalist
	Single of the Year for "Blue"
	Song of the Year for "Blue"	Award given to "Blue"'s songwriter, Bill Mack.
2009	Humanitarian Award

Grammy awards

Year	Award	For
1997	Best New Artist (Won)	Herself
	Best Female Country Vocal Performance (Won)	"Blue"
1998	Best Female Country Vocal Performance	"How Do I Live"
2007		"Something´s Gotta Give"
2008		"Nothin' Better To Do"
2009		"What I Cannot Change"
2011		"Swingin'"

American music awards

Year	Award	Notes
1997	Favorite New Artist	Only American music award

CMT music awards

Year	Award	Video
2008	Collaborative Video of the Year	"'Til We Ain't Strangers Anymore" (w/ Bon Jovi)

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} Alanna Nash and Paul Kingsbury, ed (2006). "Ch. 12: Pocketful of Gold". Will the Circle Be Unbroken: Country Music in America. New York, NY: DK Publishing, Inc. p. 334. 
2. ^ ^{a b c d} Wolff, Kurt. "Ch. 13 - Hunks, Hat Acts, and Young Country Darlings: Nashville in the 1990s". In Orla Duane. Country Music: The Rough Guide. London: Rough Guides Ltd.. 
3. ^ "LeAnn Rimes awards". Country Music Television. http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/rimes_leann/awards.jhtml. Retrieved 2009-02-14. 
4. ^ RTV Channel. "LeAnn Rimes U.S. album sales stand at 20.3 million. | RTV Magazine news | RTV entertainment". Rtvchannel.tv. http://www.rtvchannel.tv/leann-rimes-u-s-album-sales-stand-at-20-3-million/. Retrieved 2011-08-15. 
5. ^ "Billboard - Google 도서". Books.google.co.kr. http://books.google.co.kr/books?id=9w0EAAAAMBAJ&lpg=PP1&lr&rview=1&pg=RA1-PA4#v=onepage&q&f=false. Retrieved 2011-09-27. 
6. ^ ^{a b c d e f g} Thomas Erlewine, Stephen. "LeAnn Rimes > Biography". allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p182450. Retrieved 2009-02-14. 
7. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i} "LeAnn Rimes Biography". Musician Guide.com. http://www.musicianguide.com/biographies/1608003974/LeAnn-Rimes.html. Retrieved 2009-02-14. 
8. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i j} "LeAnn Rimes: Biography". Country Music Television. http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/rimes_leann/bio.jhtml. Retrieved 2009-02-14. 
9. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h} "LeAnn Rimes Biography: People.com". People.com. http://www.people.com/people/leann_rimes/biography. Retrieved 2009-02-14. 
10. ^ M. Haney, Shawn. "Blue album review". allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/album/r237851. Retrieved 2009-02-14. 
11. ^ F. Promis, Jose. "Unchained Melody: The Early Years". allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/album/r246952. Retrieved 2009-02-15. 
12. ^ Owens, Thom. "You Light Up My Life: Inspirational Songs". allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/album/r312598. Retrieved 2009-02-15. 
13. ^ ^{a b c d e} "RIAA Gold & Platinum albums - LeAnn Rimes". Recording Industry Association of America. http://riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=&artist=LeAnn%20Rimes&format=ALBUM&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2009&sort=Artist&perPage=25. Retrieved 2009-02-15. 
14. ^ ^{a b} Kosser, Michael. "Ch. 26 — The King of Independents". How Nashville Became Music City, U.S.A.. Milwaukee, WI, USA: Hal Leonard Corp.. p. 316. 
15. ^ Thomas Erlewine, Stephen. "Sittin' on Top of the World album review". allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/album/r348593. Retrieved 2009-02-15. 
16. ^ Hunter, James. "LeAnn Rimes: Sittin' on Top of the World". Rolling Stone. http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/leannrimes/albums/album/117926/review/5941735/sittin_on_top_of_the_world. Retrieved 2009-02-15. 
17. ^ "Sittin' on Top of the World charts". allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/album/r348593. Retrieved 2009-02-15. 
18. ^ ^{a b} "LeAnn Rimes- Biography". IMDB. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005361/bio. Retrieved 2009-02-15. 
19. ^ ^{a b} Thomas Erlewine, Stephen. "LeAnn Rimes album review". allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/album/r444551. Retrieved 2009-02-15. 
20. ^ Johnson, Beth. "Too Young at Heart?". Entertainment Weekly. http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,271433,00.html. Retrieved 2009-02-15. 
21. ^ "LeAnn Rimes charts & awards". allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/album/r444551. Retrieved 2009-02-15. 
22. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h} "LeAnn Rimes". Rock on the Net. http://www.rockonthenet.com/artists-r/leannrimes_main.htm. Retrieved 2009-02-15. 
23. ^ "Jesus: Music From & Inspired by the Epic Mini Series: Patrick Williams, Various Artists: Music". Amazon.com. http://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Music-Inspired-Epic-Mini/dp/B00004S57L/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1317144094&sr=1-1. Retrieved 2011-09-27. 
24. ^ "I Need You / Spirit in the Sky: Leann Rimes, Dc Talk: Music". Amazon.com. http://www.amazon.com/I-Need-You-Spirit-Sky/dp/B00004VVW7/ref=sr_1_2?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1317159469&sr=1-2. Retrieved 2011-09-27. 
25. ^ Thomas Erlewine, Stephen. "I Need You album review". allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/album/r512635. Retrieved 2009-02-15. 
26. ^ "Coyote Ugly (2000 Film): Various Artists - Soundtrack: Music". Amazon.com. http://www.amazon.com/Coyote-Ugly-Various-Artists-Soundtrack/dp/B00004W1OR/ref=sr_1_3?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1317144805&sr=1-3. Retrieved 2011-09-27. 
27. ^ "Can't Fight the Moonlight / But I Do Love You: Leann Rimes: Music". Amazon.com. http://www.amazon.com/Cant-Fight-Moonlight-But-Love/dp/B00004X0LF/ref=sr_1_7?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1317159934&sr=1-7. Retrieved 2011-09-27. 
28. ^ Berger, Arion. "LeAnn Rimes: I Need You". Rolling Stone. http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/leannrimes/albums/album/105687/review/6067849/i_need_you. Retrieved 2009-02-15. 
29. ^ February 3, 2001 (2001-02-03). "News : LeAnn Rimes Disowns New Album". CMT. http://www.cmt.com/news/news-in-brief/1474877/leann-rimes-disowns-new-album.jhtml. Retrieved 2011-09-27. 
30. ^ ^{a b} Flippo, Chet (2000-11-17). "LeAnn Rimes Sues Label In Attempt To End Contract - Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1274452/leann-rimes-sues-label.jhtml. Retrieved 2011-10-08. 
31. ^ Widran, Jonathan. "God Bless America album review". allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/album/r557646. Retrieved 2009-02-15. 
32. ^ ^{a b} Thomas Erlewine, Stephen. "Twisted Angel album review". allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/album/r606362. Retrieved 2009-02-15. 
33. ^ Hoard, Christian. "LeAnn Rimes: Twisted Angel". Rolling Stone. http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/leannrimes/albums/album/121150/review/5943137/twisted_angel. Retrieved 2009-02-15. 
34. ^ "Twisted Angel charts & awards". allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/album/r606362. Retrieved 2009-02-15. 
35. ^ Thomas Erlewine, Stephen. "Greatest Hits album review". allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/album/r678180. Retrieved 2009-02-15. 
36. ^ "Greatest Hits charts & awards". allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/album/r678180. Retrieved 2009-02-15. 
37. ^ ^{a b c} "The Biography Channel: LeAnn Rimes biography". Biography Channel. http://www.thebiographychannel.co.uk/biography_story/1843:2276/2/LeAnn_Rimes.htm. Retrieved 2009-02-15. 
38. ^ "This Woman charts & awards". allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/album/r718402. Retrieved 2009-02-15. 
39. ^ Mawer, Sharon. "Whatever We Wanna album review". allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/album/r842018. Retrieved 2009-02-15. 
40. ^ Sheffield, Rob. "LeAnn Rimes: Family". Rolling Stone. http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/leannrimes/albums/album/16614468/review/16683014/family. Retrieved 2009-02-16. 
41. ^ Thomas Erlewine, Stephen. "Family album review". allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/album/r1113543. Retrieved 2009-02-16. 
42. ^ Fabian, Shelly. "Kenny Chesney Announces Full Summer Tour 2008". about.com. http://countrymusic.about.com/od/news/qt/KC_2008FullTour.htm. Retrieved 2009-02-16. 
43. ^ "Anniversary Edition of Wicked CD to Feature Bonus Tracks by Rimes, Goodrem and Menzel". Playbill.com. http://www.playbill.com/news/article/121808.html. Retrieved 2011-08-15. 
44. ^ "CMT Reveals New Episodes, Specials". CMT. July 13, 2007. http://www.cmt.com/artists/news/1564730/20070713/rimes_leann.jhtml. 
45. ^ "Twitter / LeAnn Rimes Cibrian: The album is a covers albu". Twitter.com. 2010-04-06. http://twitter.com/leannrimes/status/11699729048. Retrieved 2011-08-15. 
46. ^ "Twitter / LeAnn Rimes Cibrian: Some songs you will know r". Twitter.com. 2010-04-06. http://twitter.com/leannrimes/status/11699887338. Retrieved 2011-08-15. 
47. ^ "LeAnn Rimes Official Twitter". http://twitter.com/#!/leannrimes. 
48. ^ "LeAnn Rimes". cyber country.com. http://www.cybercountry.com/leannrimes.html. Retrieved 2009-02-16. 
49. ^ Lee, Michael J. (2007-03-22). "Radio Free Entertainment Exclusive Interview: Piper Perabo". RadioFree.com. http://www.radiofree.com/profiles/piper_perabo/interview03.shtml. 
50. ^ "LeAnn Rimes sings for Evan Almighty". CMT. 2007-06-21. http://www.cmt.com/artists/news/1563132/20070621/rimes_leann.jhtml. 
51. ^ "LeAnn Rimes in the Movies". GAC. July 3, 2007. http://www.gactv.com/gac/nw_headlines/article/0,,GAC_26063_5613564,00.html. 
52. ^ Darden, Beville. "LeAnn Rimes to Star in Made-for-TV Movie". The Boot.com. http://www.theboot.com/2008/10/14/leann-rimes-to-star-in-made-for-tv-movie/. Retrieved 2009-03-02. 
53. ^ http://www.countryshowdown.com/Texaco/FAQs.php
54. ^ GarySusman (2002-02-26). "SomethingBlue". Entertainment Weekly. http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,213116,00.html. 
55. ^ "'LeAnn Rimes and Husband Are Separated'". People. 2009-07-24. http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20293707,00.html. Retrieved 2009-08-28. 
56. ^ "LeAnn Rimes announces divorce on Web site". CNN. 2009-09-02. http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Music/09/02/leann.rimes.divorce/. Retrieved 2011-08-15. 
57. ^ "'LeAnn Rimes, Dean Sheremet Divorce Finalized'". USMagazine. 2010-06-19. http://www.usmagazine.com/celebritynews/news/leann-rimes-dean-sheremet-divorce-finalized-2010196. Retrieved 2010-06-20. 
58. ^ "'LeAnn Rimes and Eddie Cibrian Take Their Love to the Links'". People. 2009-08-21. http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20299630,00.html. Retrieved 2009-08-28. 
59. ^ "'Eddie Cibrian Sues Magazine For Defamation, Officially Confirms LeAnn Rimes ‘Current Girlfriend’'". Access Hollywood. 2009-11-19. http://www.accesshollywood.com/eddie-cibrian-sues-magazine-for-defamation-officially-confirms-leann-rimes-current-girlfriend_article_25772. Retrieved 2009-12-03. 
60. ^ "'Eddie Cibrian Files for Divorce'". People. 2009-08-26. http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20300442,00.html?xid=rss-topheadlines. Retrieved 2009-12-03. 
61. ^ "LeAnn Rimes: 'I Take Responsibility for Everything'". People. 2010-06-03. http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20390748,00.html. Retrieved 2010-06-04. 
62. ^ "LeAnn Rimes Engaged to Eddie Cibrian". Billboard. http://www.billboard.com/#/news/leann-rimes-engaged-to-eddie-cibrian-1004137232.story?tag=hpfeed. Retrieved December 27, 2010. 
63. ^ "LeAnn Rimes and Eddie Cibrian Are Married!". People. http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20484223,00.html. Retrieved April 23, 2011. 
64. ^ Michelle Tauber (2008-09-03). "LeAnn Rimes discloses her struggle with psoriasis". People Magazine. http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20222836,00.html. 
65. ^ "AACR-Stand Up To Cancer". AACR.org. http://www.aacr.org/home/public--media/stand-up-to-cancer.aspx. Retrieved 2009-09-03. 
66. ^ "LeAnn Rimes and The Gay Men’s Chorus Celebrate Xmas". TheAdvocate.com. 20010-12-20. http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2010/12/20/LeAnn_Rimes_Gay_Mens_Chorus_Celebrate_Xmas/. Retrieved 2011-06-20. 
67. ^ "Leannrimesworld.com Weblog". http://leannrimesworld.com/blog. Retrieved 2011-06-20. 
68. ^ "LeAnn Rimes Net Worth". Celebrity Network.com. http://www.celebritynetworth.com/richest-celebrities/singers/leann-rimes-net-worth/. 

External links

• Official International Website
• Official Northern Lights movie site starring LeAnn Rimes and Eddie Cibrian at myLifetime.com
• LeAnn Rimes at the Internet Movie Database

Awards and achievements
Preceded by Hootie & the Blowfish	Grammy Award for Best New Artist 1997	Succeeded by Paula Cole

Persondata
Name	Rimes, LeAnn
Alternative names	Rimes, Margaret LeAnn
Short description	Singer, songwriter, actress
Date of birth	1982-8-28
Place of birth	Pearl, Mississippi, USA
Date of death
Place of death