Shania Twain Shares Chilling Details About Her 2018 Open-Throat Surgery
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.
- Shania Twain reveals details of her risky 2018 open-throat surgery
- She stayed awake throughout to fix vocal nerve damage
- Twain later advised Jon Bon Jovi facing the same operation
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The larynx, or voice box, contains the vocal cords, which vibrate to produce sound. Nerve damage can weaken the voice and make it difficult to sing or speak loudly, sometimes leading doctors to consider surgery.
Shania Twain is a Canadian country singer whose career has included decades of recording and touring. Jon Bon Jovi, the American rock singer, has also faced vocal cord problems; both singers have discussed an operation to address damage affecting the voice.
For singers, changes to the voice can affect their ability to perform and earn a living. Surgery may offer a chance to improve it, but procedures involving the larynx can carry risks, making decisions about treatment personal and consequential.