LeAnn Rimes Says Her ‘Coyote Ugly’ Appearance Was an “Introduction” To Her Sexuality

Coyote Ugly played a pivotal role in lead star Piper Perabo’s career. But country singer LeAnn Rimes recently revealed her brief cameo in the film changed her life, too. 

In a new interview with The Guardian, Rimes explained how appearing in the 2000 movie marked a turning point for her career.

“I didn’t feel comfortable in my own sexuality yet, so I had to do a lot of pretending to play the part of a woman with confidence,” she said.

She continued, “Not only was I turning into a woman aesthetically, but this moment marked a pivotal point of asserting my need for autonomy professionally.”

Rimes got her start at the young age of 13 when she signed her first record deal. The prodigy went on to become the youngest person to win a Grammy at the age of 14 for her cover of “Blue.” Getting her start as a child star, however, meant that her image had always been “wholesome” and protected. Rimes said working on a movie like Coyote Ugly revealed a “different side” of herself that she “wanted to explore.” 

The country singer provided vocals for Perabo’s character, songwriter Violet Sanford. In the movie, Violet gets a job at a woman-run bar where the Spice Girls-esque bartenders perform for their raucous patrons. With the help of her coworkers, she becomes more empowered and confident in her sexuality and singing abilities. Rimes described feeling similarly after performing “Can’t Fight The Moonlight” alongside Perabo, right on top of that infamous Coyote Ugly bar. 

“The film had already wrapped, but the director decided they wanted to add my song into a scene at the end, so being on set was like a big reunion for the cast and crew,” Rimes said. “Everyone was in good spirits, it was super sweet and supportive, but the outfit and the performance were a big change for me. I didn’t feel comfortable in my own sexuality yet.”

Clips from the movie would later be used in the official music video for ‘Can’t Fight The Moonlight.’

“The video for this song became a kind of introduction to my sexuality, something I could own myself,” she said. “The film was multilayered, but it was centered on women selling sex, whereas for most of my career my identity had been the opposite – it was about everyone around me preserving me as this wholesome child. Coyote Ugly was my step out of that innocence.” 

After appearing in the movie, her song “Can’t Fight The Moonlight” took off on the pop charts and cemented her star status. Rimes went on to continue her very public fight for independence from her child star image, including suing her father and co-manager, who reportedly took more than $7 million of her earnings.

In 2020, Rimes told ET that the cast has been trying to get a reboot or sequel in the works to no avail.

If Rimes and Perabo are willing to get back on that bar – we’ll be right there with them. 

“To be 40 and in a place of thriving is something that not many child stars can say they have achieved,” Rimes said. “And as for dancing – if I’m given the chance, I’ll get up on a bar, no question.”