Shania Twain grew up far from glamour, in a crowded home in Timmins, Ontario, where money was scarce and “dinner was never guaranteed.” Her stepfather’s low-paying job and her mother’s depression made daily life difficult. At school, she often pretended she had “forgotten her food,” hoping to eat leftovers from classmates. Music quickly became the one place she felt calm.

Shania found her escape in the woods. She would slip away with her guitar, build a small fire, and sing until “the cold and the worry” faded. These quiet moments shaped her early connection to music.

Recognizing her talent, her mother began taking her to bar gigs when she was just eight. Since alcohol had already been served before she performed, her presence was considered “legal.” By eleven, Shania had a performance permit, and by fourteen, she finally started getting paid for her shows.

To support herself, she took a job at McDonald’s. She later called it her “saving grace” because it provided both a steady paycheck and dependable meals — something her childhood often lacked.

Her routine became exhausting: school during the day, work in the evenings, and performing whenever she could. But the struggle only strengthened her resolve.

Through poverty, long hours, and constant pressure, Shania held on to one thing — her dream. It carried her forward when everything else felt uncertain.