Urgent:Shania Twain Rushed to the hospital in a critical condition Shaina Twain’s open-throat surgery gave her a new outlook on performing. In an interview with PEOPLE on the red carpet at the 2024 People's Choice Country Awards on Thursday, September 26 in Nashville, the 59-year-old singer-songwriter said that her previous vocal-cord surgery had helped her get over her stage fear. When asked about her recent experiences with performance anxiety, Twain responds, "It was really about my throat surgery." "I lost my voice, my singing voice, for several years. Regaining it having to go through open-throated surgery to get it back reset my reality," she explains. "You take it and you put fear aside to do it — and that is what I did," she adds. "You know that you have another chance at something that you love." According to Twain, "the voice" and "the will to never give up" helped her get through the difficult procedure. After more than 30 years in the business, the country music icon, who is hosting the 2024 People's Choice Country Awards, also talked candidly with PEOPLE about what inspires her. "I love new songwriting. I love design and production. There is so much more that goes into being an artist — even though, of course, that is a very bug part. But I think there is a lot the fans may not be aware of that goes on, and it is fun to share," she says, referring to the creative aspect of the industry.