LeAnn Rimes is opening up about how her pivotal role in the 2000 film Coyote Ugly marked a significant turning point in her career, effectively ending her "America's Sweetheart" image. At just 17 years old during filming, Rimes played herself in a memorable cameo, performing her smash hit "Can't Fight the Moonlight" and also provided the singing voice for lead actress Piper Perabo's character, Violet Sanford.

The singer shared insights into the experience, stating it was her "introduction into sexuality and being sexualized as a woman." Rimes recounted a moment on set where she was handed "chicken cutlets to put in my bra" and instructed to "push 'em up." She explained that prior to the film, her identity revolved around being a "wholesome child." "Coyote Ugly was my step out of that innocence," Rimes reflected, highlighting the profound shift the movie instigated.

Rimes admitted she "didn't feel comfortable in my own sexuality yet" and had to do "a lot of pretending to play the part of a woman with confidence" for the role. The film's soundtrack, featuring "Can't Fight the Moonlight," became a global success, further catapulting Rimes into the pop market and showcasing a more mature side of her artistry. Just this February, Rimes even recreated her iconic bartop dance at a Coyote Ugly Saloon in Nashville, joined by castmates from 9-1-1: Nashville, proving the film's enduring cultural impact.