LeAnn Rimes is reflecting humorously on a pivotal moment in her career when Hollywood redefined her image away from being “America’s Sweetheart,” all due to her appearance in the iconic film Coyote Ugly. During her recent visit to Good Morning America, the celebrated country singer recounted how her role in the 2000 movie, featuring stars such as Piper Perabo and Maria Bello, played a significant part in changing fans’ perceptions of her.
Rimes, now 43 years old, recalled how her cameo, in which she performed her hit song “Can’t Fight the Moonlight” while dancing atop the bar, introduced her to a new level of appeal centered around sexiness. “That was kind of my introduction to sexiness and [how] sex sells,” she remarked. “I mean really, I was ‘America’s Sweetheart’ until they put me on a bar, and then it was all over.”
At just 17 during the filming, Rimes admitted that her bar choreography was not quite authentic, attributing the convincing performance to “really good editing.” Today, more than two decades later, she revisited that iconic moment by recreating the film’s finale at the Coyote Ugly Saloon in Nashville alongside her 9-1-1 Nashville castmates. Sharing the fun experience on Instagram, she noted how excited her co-stars were about the throwback, which stemmed from a lively group chat.
This playful nod to her past not only highlights the long-lasting impact of Coyote Ugly but also signifies Rimes’ ability to embrace her journey through the evolution of her career.