Shania Twain Co Uk - The UK Shania Site

``I consider myself a country artist. That music was always such a big part of me growing up,'' she said by telephone from her home in Switzerland, where she was taking a break with Lange, her husband of six years.

Fans should be warned that her TV special is not a variety-style hour.
Shania on her Thanksgiving concert.

``I really hate contrived television. It's all based around my show. I just do my thing. The first special was two hours long, so it was basically my concert. This is a short show, so we won't get it all in,'' she said.

1. You have five horses. Are you a real cowgirl?

Twain: No! I'm from Canada. We don't know how to rope. Just because you're a horse person doesn't mean you know anything about cows. I'm into pleasure riding.

2. How do you react to reports that your marriage is in trouble because your husband is rarely seen?

Twain: It just happens that now he's married to someone famous and he values his privacy. We live in Florida and Switzerland and are really very ordinary people. Nobody's very interested in anybody's spouse anyway.

3. What do you think of your popularity in the tabloids? Is the media out to knock you down now that you have reached the top?

Twain: It is hard. Sometimes the facts don't get straight and you are misquoted. But I think it happens to everyone and you don't single yourself out in any way. No, I wouldn't say they are out to get me. There's a point somewhere where your life becomes everyone's business. It's a pain in the butt. But it doesn't matter. My focus is the music. I'm very content with what I've achieved. I'm not so ambitious that I'm worried about who's going to try to knock me down.

4. Is acting next on your professional agenda?

Twain: If the opportunity came up, I might try. I can't say to you though, `Yeah, I'm going to try it.' I've heard it's a very tedious thing. Some of the stories they tell me - how boring it is waiting around - I don't know if I can deal with that. I can't stand modeling. You have to stand in uncomfortable shoes for a long time and stand still for 15 minutes. I like something brief and quick. It's my thing.

5. ``Come on Over'' was your first big pop-country crossover hit. Do you believe that you have been a major force in opening doors for other country music artists?

Twain: Well, it's a nice compliment that I somehow did bring more people to country music. The more fans who listen to country music, the better. It's good. It shows hard work pays.