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Canada’s biggest star Shania Twain – from poverty to fame

Shania Twain is a major superstar whose name is known worldwide. However, her life was not always as glamorous as one would assume. It is always fascinating to know more about your favorite celebrity’s childhood.

She might dominate the charts and travel the world now, but that did not always happen. She did not always have an easy life.

Keep reading to know more about the singer’s childhood, which might surprise you.

Born to a family grappling with poverty in Timmins, Ontario, she had a tough start to her life. Her stepfather’s low-paying reforestation job and her mother’s depression made things even harder. She was just one of five children and had to learn early on to do without.

She began to sing in bars and perform; however, soon, she would have a lot more responsibility on her shoulders than just having some gigs every now and then. Soon she was left to be responsible for her siblings.

Since her family always struggled with money, she knew how to be without even essentials such as food, heating, and electricity.

She realized her life was different to that of her classmates when she would be without lunch and look at her peers during lunch, hoping they would leave some of their food uneaten so she could take it.

The young girl would usually tell her teacher that she had left her lunch in her locker or at home. She began to focus on music as a way to escape the harsh realities of her life.

She would go to the forest with her guitar, light a small fire, and then lose herself to her music. The music she played helped her forget the harshness of her real life where her responsibilities and poverty weighed her down.

First taste of performing

Her mother was able to see her talent and began to take her to gigs at local bars when she was just 8 years old. She would perform after midnight when patrons would already have their alcohol served to them since she legally could not be in a place where alcohol was actively being served at that age.

When she was 11 years old, she got a permit to perform earlier in the evening however she did not get paid till she was fourteen years old. She also started working at McDonald’s, a job she later referred to as her “saving grace,” as it allowed her to get paid while also providing her with regular meals, something she did not know about.

She would work at McDonald’s after school and then sing at bars afterward; her schedule was incredibly busy and left her exhausted. However, she focused on her music and hoped to have a better life.

However, her family struggled with things other than poverty. Her stepfather had legally adopted her and her siblings. He was harsh and abusive and made their home environment incredibly toxic and scary for the children.

She recalls having to fend for herself against his violence. She recalled a specific moment when she threw a chair at him in self-defense. “I think a lot of that was anger, not courage,” she later said of it.

Shania Twain sings on stage. — Shutterstock.com

The abuse went on for a while, and it was only one part of her trauma. When she was ten years old, her stepfather began to sexually abuse her. She kept the abuse a secret, and it further weighed on her for years till she felt brave enough to talk about it publicly.

Some of her trauma remained unresolved because when she was 22 years old, her mother and stepfather died in a car crash. Shania Twain was left to care for her younger siblings. She was the second eldest and was responsible for the younger children.

A new job

She wanted to make sure all of them were together, so she took a singing job at a nearby resort, a job that allowed her to have a small home. At the time, her life was very stressful. She woke up to chop wood to heat up the house, get her siblings to school, then sing late into the night.

The teenager had to maintain a feminine image of a polished singer for her job. She had never had time to focus on herself before, but now her job required her to take care of herself.

The big break

As her siblings grew up and became more independent, she was able to focus more on her own career. She recorded a demo and sent it to record labels. Her hard work paid off when Mercury Nashville signed her. This marked the beginning of her musical career.

As her music career started, she met a renowned music producer. The two of them collaborated and soon it turned romantic as they married one another. They soon developed Twain’s musical style, co-writing and producing together.

Her celebrity grew rapidly as a result and she reached massive audiences with her music.

But as her success rose, she noticed that her voice was having some setbacks. But it took another decade for her to get a diagnosis for Lyme disease, which had affected her vocal cords.

Shania Twain poses for camera. — Shutterstock

She had to take a break from singing and undergo surgery which left her with a raspier voice than before. She embraced this difference and focused on her music. Her musical partnership with her husband, music producer Robert “Mutt” Lange, was still working well. The two have a son together, Eja D’Angelo Lange. Apart from musically, the couple also were doing well personally however Twain discovered that her husband was cheating on her.

He was having an affair with his close friend, Marie-Anne Thiébaud, whom she had previously worked for as their secretary. Shania Twain found an unexpected ally in Thiébaud’s husband, who was just as blindsided by the affair. Her relationship with Frédéric Thiébaud started off with their mutual devastation.

However, the relationship soon turned romantic and in 2011 the two of them married and began a new chapter in their lives.

Twain revealed that she no longer holds any resentment for her ex-husband and his affair. She acknowledges what he did for her musical career and the child they share together.

The singer has seen it all in her life! She has been on the highest of highs and the lowest of lows! We are sending the singer our best for her future. Share this with other fans of Shania Twain who might not have known this about her.

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Love, Laughter, and a Lifetime of Jokes, 10 Hilarious Tales from Old Married Couples

Love, Laughter, and a Lifetime of Jokes, 10 Hilarious Tales from Old Married Couples

Best Of

Jungle Pam Hardy: All you kneed to know about the iconic drag racing beauty

Her presence left men speechless, and she became an unforgettable icon for America’s motor lovers.

But who was Jungle Pam Hardy, and why does her legend live on today?

Though her time in drag racing lasted just four short years, Jungle Pam’s name has remained iconic for nearly four decades.

Because Jungle Pam Hardy was more than just a pretty face in the world of 1970s drag racing. Known for her undeniable charisma and beauty, Pam brought a unique flair to the track that captivated fans just as much as the roaring engines.

In a time when drag racing was all about raw talent and heart-pounding excitement, she embodied the era’s spirit. She was there during the golden age of drag racing –when drivers actually drove their cars instead of computers. According to many, she brought beauty into drag racing in a way that has never been duplicated.

Backing up the legendary Jungle Jim’s race car in her signature shorts and tank top, Pam thrilled us as much as the cars back then.

Road to stardom

It’s impossible to talk about Jungle Pam without mentioning her legendary partner, Jim Liberman, the flamboyant drag racer known as “Jungle Jim.”

Famous for his showmanship, Liberman, who started driving cars at the age of 12, was a huge fixture on the U.S. drag racing circuit. Many still consider him the greatest showman the drag strip has ever seen.

And the story of Jungle Pam, born Pamela Hardy, begins in May 1972 — just two weeks before she graduated from high school.

Liberman spotted the striking young beauty hitch-hiking while he cruised in his yellow Corvette, and fate took over. Pam had big plans to attend West Chester University of Pennsylvania, where she intended to major in business. But instead, she fell for Jim and quickly joined him on the road.

”I ditched the college that had accepted me, and it drove my mother nuts,” she later recalled.

Jungle Jim Liberman Chevy Vega Funny Car – Revell – Jungle Pam. Photo shoot for Hot Rod Magazine with Jungle Jim Liberman and Jungle Pam Hardy. (Photo by Mike Brenner/The Enthusiast Network via Getty Images/Getty Images)

Touring the country together, Jim and Pam became a dynamic duo in the drag racing world, with his showmanship and her magnetic presence. Initially, Jim Liberman wanted Pam to stage his funny car at the starting line, knowing it would capture the audience’s attention — and it certainly did.

“Well, sex sells,” Pam told Competition Plus. “You see it on the TV all the time, but back in the ’70s, Jungle and I decided together that this would be worth a shot, so that’s what we did, and it didn’t seem to hurt his reputation at all. And he had more pictures taken of his car as long as I was standing next to it than anybody else.”

Pam was not only stunning but also always braless, typically donning a tank top or a skimpy halter and zero-inch inseam jean shorts.

Most famous figure on the drag strip

In no time, she transformed from an unknown into the most famous female figure on the drag strip. Her remarkable rise even led her to grace the cover of Hot Rod Magazine, a feat no woman had achieved before. The cheers that erupted when Pam stepped onto the track often surpassed the roars of applause for the most celebrated drivers.

“I’m kind of amazed by all the notoriety,” she remarked in 1974.

But Pam was more than just a pretty face, as some would have you believe. She staged the car, inspected it for fluid leaks before each run, filled the block with water and eight quarts of 70W oil, packed parachutes after every race, and assisted Jim in repositioning his car after his burnouts.

”We put on a good show,” Pam said. ”And that’s what it was all about. It was not about me. When you were out there doing what we were doing, it wasn’t about me. It was about us.”

Pam was described as ”a stroke of genius,” and many were impressed that Jim had transformed her into a true racing enthusiast. This helped the sport’s profile overall, particularly enhancing the reputation of Jim Liberman’s team.

In the relatively niche world of drag racing, Jim and Pam stood out. While Jim clinched several national championships, he was most renowned for his vibrant personality, warm demeanor, and, of course, his stunning girlfriend.

”Our relationship was a flash in the pan, a bolt of lightning. I just worked,” Pam told Fox Sports.

But everything changed on September 9, 1977.

Jim dies

Just three days shy of his 32nd birthday, Jim was racing his 1972 yellow Corvette at 250 mph when he collided with a bus.

The legendary drag racer died instantly, and it took responders a heartbreaking 45 minutes to extract his body from the mangled wreckage.

”It was my mother called me and told me because she didn’t want me to hear it on the news,” Pam told CompetitionPlusTV.

The tragic accident sent shockwaves through the entire motorsports community. In the aftermath, Pam made the difficult decision to step back from drag racing, vowing never to work with another driver again.

Yet, she quietly dedicated herself to preserving Jim Liberman’s memory, frequently participated in memorial events honoring her late boyfriend.

”All that showmanship was his true personality. He just didn’t turn that on at the track and then became normal like everyone else at home. He had that sort of flair even when we were just at the house or went out some place. You could always feel his presence wherever he was,” Pam says.

On a romantic level, Pam moved on. Being the racing lover that she is, she later married Funny Car owner Fred Frey. After their divorce, she married Bill Hodgson, who tunes George Reidnauer’s Excalibur Corvette Nostalgia Funny Car.

The truth behind the photos

Looking through old drag racing photos from the 1970s is a fascinating journey back in time. These snapshots capture not just the roaring engines and vibrant colors of the era, but also the spirit of a community united by a shared passion for speed and excitement.

Jungle Pam broke new ground, proving that women could get respect in a male-dominated sport, all while bringing smiles and laughter to countless faces. She had a life that just doesn’t happen anymore. A woman of undeniable class, she lived life on her own terms — what more could anyone ask for?

Pam’s influence and charm made her an icon, reminding us that the joy of racing is not just about the speed, but about the connections we forge and the memories we create together.

As we revisit these vintage images, we are reminded of the joy and exhilaration that defined those races. We can almost hear the roar of the engines, smell the burnt rubber, and feel the adrenaline rush pulsing through the crowds. We call those the good ole days, and they really were. Times were fun and easier to say the least!

In a world that often feels disconnected, these glimpses into the past remind us of simpler times when excitement was palpable, and the thrill of the race brought people together.

Did Pam Hardy race a car herself?

No, Pam Hardy, known as “Jungle Pam,” didn’t race cars herself.

“Hell no, and hell no. Those things could blow up and catch fire,” as she put it herself.

Jungle Pam Hardy today

Today, at 67 years old, Pam Hardy lives a relatively quiet life, staying close to her roots in drag racing at the grassroots level. She’s just as striking and vibrant as ever— a truly good-looking woman with a timeless charm.

More than just her iconic presence in the racing world, Pam is known for being a down-to-earth, honest person. Her genuine personality continues to resonate with fans. Pam still brings smiles to those who remember her legendary days on the track and beyond.

Here’s to the incredible woman she is today — thank you for the memories, Pam!

Best Of

I Always Ask for a Receipt at McDonald’s for This Reason

When it comes to ordering your favorite burgers and fries at McDonald’s, there’s something you might not have thought about – asking for a receipt. It might sound a bit strange, but there’s a good reason behind it. Let’s dive into why it’s a good idea to always ask for a receipt when you place your order at McDonald’s.

Have you ever heard of “mystery shoppers” or “Gapbusters”? These are people who secretly visit McDonald’s restaurants to check if everything is up to the mark. They want to make sure you’re getting the best experience possible. Adnan, who used to work at McDonald’s, spilled the beans on a little secret. He said that McDonald’s employees are trained to keep an eye out for these mystery shoppers. And here’s where the receipt comes into play.

When you ask for a receipt after placing your order, the employees know that you’re paying attention. They might not be able to tell whether you’re a mystery shopper or just a regular customer, but they want to make sure you’re happy. So, they often go the extra mile to make sure your order is top-notch.

Scott Olson | Credit: Getty Images

Imagine this – you order a delicious Big Mac with a side of crispy fries. You’re excited to satisfy your hunger. But what if the food isn’t as fresh as you hoped? That’s where asking for a receipt can make a difference. When the employees know you’re watching, they’re more likely to make sure your food is hot, fresh, and tasty.

Think about it this way: when you’re at a restaurant, you want the best value for your money. You deserve a meal that’s prepared with care and served just the way you like it. When you ask for a receipt, you’re showing that you care about your experience. This can lead to better service and better food – a win-win situation!

But that’s not the only benefit of asking for a receipt. Let’s talk about accuracy. Ever had the wrong item in your bag? Maybe you ordered a crispy chicken burger, but you ended up with a fish fillet instead. It happens! When you have your receipt in hand, you can easily double-check if your order is correct. If something’s not right, the employees are usually happy to fix it for you. Your receipt becomes your proof of what you ordered, helping you get exactly what you wanted.