Country star Shania Twain has opened up about the frightening 2018 open-throat surgery she underwent to repair nerve damage in her larynx, which had left her unable to project her voice after decades of touring. Rather than retire, Twain chose to have the procedure despite it requiring her to remain awake throughout, and she has since drawn on that experience to reassure Jon Bon Jovi, who faced similar vocal cord problems and the same operation.

Twain told Bon Jovi the surgery was "scary" and that he would have to be conscious for it, but felt he deserved honesty from someone who had been through it rather than hearing it only from a surgeon. She said the decision came down to a stark choice: never sing again or take the risk, adding that she has no regrets and can now perform "loud and proud". The surgery's success coincides with the release of her latest album, Little Miss Twain, on 24 July, which reached No. 1 on the UK Country Albums chart and No. 26 on the US Top Country Albums chart, while she continues to tour.