Key Highlights
- LeAnn Rimes reflects on her “Coyote Ugly” cameo and how it changed her image from “America’s Sweetheart.”
- Rimes performed a duet with Piper Perabo in the movie’s finale, marking a turning point in her career.
- The iconic scene introduced Rimes to “sexiness and sex sells,” according to her own words.
- Rimes recreated the scene at the Coyote Ugly Saloon Nashville as part of an Instagram post.
LeAnn Rimes’ Hollywood Pivot: From ‘America’s Sweetheart’ to Sex Appeal
You might think this is new, but LeAnn Rimes has been navigating the evolving landscape of her public image for years. In a recent appearance on “Good Morning America,” the two-time Grammy winner opened up about how her iconic cameo in “Coyote Ugly” marked a significant shift from her innocent “America’s Sweetheart” persona to embracing her sexier side.
“That was kind of my introduction to sexiness and sex sells,” Rimes, now 43, said. “I mean really, I was ‘America’s Sweetheart’ until they put me on a bar, and then it was all over.”
Rimes was just 17 when she filmed the scene in 2000, performing a duet with Piper Perabo while dancing on the counter of the movie’s titular bar. The actress recalled, “I’m 17.
My mom was very happy that was the only bar I was dancing on. That she knew of.”
The ‘Coyote Ugly’ Aftermath
Rimes has since embraced her new image in various ways. In a recent Instagram post, she recreated the famous final scene at the Coyote Ugly Saloon Nashville with her “9-1-1: Nashville” co-stars. The clip saw Rimes lip-syncing “Can’t Fight the Moonlight” while dancing on the counter.
“Nashville, do we serve water in this bar…,” Rimes wrote in the caption, referring to one of the movie’s famous lines.
The recreation was a nod to both the past and present. Rimes shared that it was her idea to bring everyone to the Nashville bar for a fun night out, saying, “Coyote Ugly will forever live on.”
Music Industry Evolution
Rimes has always been acutely aware of how music industry trends evolve. Her reimagining of “Can’t Fight the Moonlight” on her EP “Re-Imagined,” released in 2018, showed that she’s not just a relic of the past but someone who can adapt to changing times.
“It did nothing in the States,” Rimes continued. “It came back around almost two years later and then was a top 20 hit in the States.” “I don’t know, it’s weird how the universe works.”
Rimes’ journey from “America’s Sweetheart” to sex appeal is a testament to her ability to reinvent herself within the ever-changing entertainment industry. As she continues to perform and adapt, Rimes remains a vital figure in country music.
Conclusion
So there you have it—LeAnn Rimes’ transformation from an innocent teen sensation to a more mature artist who can balance both her wholesome and sexier sides. The “Coyote Ugly” scene may have marked the end of one era, but it certainly didn’t mark the end of Rimes’ career or her ability to evolve with the times.