What a week to watch! Between vocal coaching, a photo shoot, working with David Foster, and a trip to the ranch…there just wasn’t enough time to take it all in.
The episode started off with Shania heading for a photo shoot for the cover of her new autobiography. The book had been a way for Shania to distract herself from her divorce. Feeling fragile and desperate at times, she knew she needed to snap out of it. “By going back through my whole life from the beginning, it put everything into a better perspective”. Trying to not place blame but still remain true to the story, Shania struggled with the balance when writing. As they made their way to New York for the shoot, Shania, Carrie and Fred all discussed the struggles Shania had with digging deep for the book. Carrie noted that they had to prompt Shania when writing to “Make this more real. Stop sugar coating it. No, tell it like it is…like it was”.
Once in New York…a city full of life and hope, Shania met up with her manager, Jason Owen and headed to the shoot. Constantly aware of her image, Shania commented about the lighting in the elevator. I couldn’t help but pause and think how self-conscious she is ALL the time. She always looks great but worries so much about what everyone sees. I don’t mean this in a vain way…more of an uncomfortableness and lack of love for herself. I only hope her walls come down as she finds her voice. She spent the shoot finding her groove and as it progressed, she seemed to find a bit of herself.
With the photo shoot behind her, Shania headed off to LA to meet with Eric Vetro, vocal coach to the stars. Her session was a cross between therapy and vocal work. Must admit the sounds were not always pleasant as she worked to free her voice. Eric pointed out that by focusing so much on the negative, she was constantly bringing herself back to that place. Oh…so poignant to her journey. He shared that “the goal is to free up, to let go. She has to take all of that tension and tightness that she has been feeling for so long and transform it to free herself from it and to start singing from her heart”. As she went through a variety of vocal exercises, Shania found a way to let go and just be in the moment. Surprisingly, Shania was able to let loose and even look a little silly. Ultimately, she left with a great bag of vocal tricks and a bit more self confidence. Just what she needed before meeting with David Foster!
As her bus pulled into Malibu, her nerves started getting to her….understandably. She was about to meet with David Foster. The “David Foster”, who has won 15 Grammy Awards, has worked with incredible artists such as Michael Jackson, Celine Dion, Lionel Richie, Madonna, Cher, and even Madonna. Shania hasn’t worked with any producer other than her ex-husband, Mutt.
I could only imagine the nervousness she felt. As an artist, she was about to share her work, something she valued. Would he even like it? As she arrived at David Foster’s home/studio, it was even more intimidating. She descended down
staircase into the studio only to be greeted by awards and accolades covering the walls. Swallowed by the grandness, Shania did her best to find her confidence. David entered in UGGS and got the ball rolling…maybe a little sooner than Shania expected.
It was incredible to be able to watch David Foster’s mind at work as Shania shared her song. You could actually see him creating…loved it! I couldn’t help but put out a little prayer that OWN’s Visionaries would pick David Foster as someone to highlight in their series. As he joked around a bit with Shania to loosen her up, he never stopped rolling. Then he asked her to take a microphone and Shania showed a bit of apprehension as she talked about not holding a microphone in a long time. David watched her and simply said “looks and sounds natural to me”. With that, Shania sang and David was able to coax and nudged a bit at a time. By the end of the session, he was asking her to sing in the recording booth. He knew she needed the push. Eventually, Shania found herself in the booth determined to give it her best. As she struggles in teh beginning, David reminds Shania that “you’re one of those singers you hear one bar and you know it’s you….You have it”. With a small boost of positive, Shania tried again. Once David started mixing it up with her, Shania pulled it all together. Finally it was all starting to feel natural again…all with a friendly, firm push from Mr. David Foster! As they played the track back, I couldn’t help but feel like crying for her. This has been a tough journey and there she was sitting in David Foster’s studio listening to a great track of “Today Is Your Day.” Toasting to the session, David interrupted Shania as she started to make more excuses…“I don’t know what you think your problem is but you don’t have one”. I think this is totally the attitude she needs to be surrounded by. Just do it…it will all work out!
After the session, Shania and her team hit the road and headed to see an old friend…or a few. Making their way to Santa Barbara, Shania took the time to see an old friend, Ramon Becerra, on his ranch. Ramon, an animal trainer, and Shania met 17 years ago on her video. Something about going to a ranch…you are reminded to reconnect with life, the earth and your priorities. The perfect time to reconnect as Shania and Fred are getting married in a month. While at the ranch, Shania was able to meet up with another friend, Bo Derek. However, the treat for me was JOHN CORBETT, aka Aidan from “Sex In the City”. Love him!!! Sorry, but I wouldn’t be true to myself if I didn’t give a little shout out there. As for the reunion between friends from the past, they both took the time to introduce their current men in their lives. Leaving the past where it belongs and moving forward in their friendship. Nothing is more important than surrounding yourself with loved ones, friends and positivity.
With a bit of confidence from Eric Vetro, a push and a reminder of her talent from David Foster, and the love and support of friends and family, Shania really seemed to push through a lot of negativity and move forward in her life on this week’s episode. As the darkness begins to lift and the gates have opened up, Shania will find that it is much easier to run free and shine!
As for next week’s teaser….Lionel Richie and a wedding!
Watching Shania fall down at the CMT Awards was painful, you would have to be heartless not to feel badly for her.
If there’s one single thing we’ve taken away from watching OWN, it’s about negative self-talk.
If there’s only one observation about Shania’s show, it would be the consistent negative self-talk.
Her consistent negative self-talk is now becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy being played out for all to see. It’s not a good thing.
I don’t think she’s ready for Vegas, remarriage or a new recording contract.
There is so much unforgiveness coming through, she is becoming lean of heart and spirit. Her sister needs to value her own life, instead of living through Shania. Her new husband needs to stop laying roses at her feet. Hero worship eventually lets everyone down.
I cannot see how she can make it through two years on the Vegas strip. Locking herself into any long term contract at this point in time is not wise.
Cher is an ultra strong woman. She had Sonny, but went on without him. Shania is not there yet.
I don’t know what Shania’s faith is in, other than herself. Looks and hairdos are fleeting. She needs help with codependency.
I know she’s letting it all hang out, but being wrapped up in past accolades…constantly retripping backwards down memory lane is a reflection …..of far too much self-absorption.
It takes strength for someone to this so publicly. Cher didn’t do this…most stars wouldn’t be so vulnerable. Shania’s story is not so different than other women’s, but she is publicly showing all of us how to get up and walk through the aftermath of your own life tornado. By Shania showing us how she is just getting up and going, she is showing us to never give up. Infidelity is a part of of culture, like it or not. Some women have already taken a similar journey and have found their strength to get up and move on…this story is just story or a reminder of their own journey. But for those who are trapped in it or are unable to pick themselves up, it offers solace and hope. Whether I think she may whine too much or not, I know this….it takes courage to open your heart and wounds to the world. I saw her fall at CMT and even watched her response to it and thought to myself, that she may let this get to her, but she GOT BACK UP. Her story on OWN has always been about getting back up and trying to move forward. I think she is on her way and I couldn’t be happier for her.