Rimes accepts tabloid fascination

Associated Press

NEW YORK

LeAnn Rimes chose the covers route for her latest album, “Lady and Gentleman,” putting her twist on classic country-music songs originally recorded by men. But the 29-year-old is ready to record original music — even though she knows that people will try to draw analogies between her songs and her personal life.

“I’m really not afraid of writing or singing about what’s going on in my life,” she said in a recent interview. “Why should I be ashamed of it? It’s my path. The songs people will hear on my next record, which I’m finishing up now, feel free to analyze. The funny thing is the songs that people think are about me probably aren’t. And the songs that are probably are the ones they wouldn’t think... so that’s where it kind of is funny.”

Rimes’ life has been an open book since she came on the scene as a 13-year-old. While she remains a subject of tabloid fascination, she insists her real life is not as exciting as some people may think.

Q. Celebrity and fame has changed since you first became famous as a teenager. Now you’re followed by paparazzi, and the press focuses on your marriage.

A. I was told when I was little I couldn’t have an opinion because you want everyone to buy your record and like you. I’m not gonna apologize for who I am and what I’ve gone through. We all are human. I’ve learned you just don’t know what another person has gone through.

Q. How do you deal with all the tabloid attention?

A. You go through different emotions every day, because the unfortunate thing is the things that people write about and use the word allegedly in front of and say that you do or have done mold people’s opinions about you as a person, and I think it’s completely unfair.

Q. Would you like to do more acting?

A. Yes. I have a movie coming out on CMT called “Reel Love.”