LeAnn Rimes Understands Why People Are ‘Disappointed’ in Her

LeAnn Rimes weathered a long and very public storm throughout much of the last year, as her seven-year marriage crumbled in the wake of her widely-publicized relationship with married actor Eddie Cibrian. Ultimately divorcing husband Dean Sheremet, while Eddie split from wife, Brandi Glanville, LeAnn is now happily dating -- and living with -- Eddie, and playing step-mom to his two children from his previous marriage. But while LeAnn insists she is happy and at peace with the outcome, she also admits that she made mistakes along the way.

"I think any relationship is hard to get out of, and I don't think the way I did it was right," she tells Shape magazine. "I truly believe there are lessons in it for me to learn."

The singer, who initially denied the affair when rumors started swirling 15 months ago after she starred in a Lifetime movie, 'Northern Lights' with Eddie, adds that she believes her divorce was inevitable long before she met Eddie.

"My relationship with Dean was great, but ultimately it wasn't a fulfilling marriage for either of us," she reveals. "We got married so young: I was 19 and he was 21, so as we got older, we grew apart."

Still, there is no denying that her actions created a backlash among her fans, who still remembered her as the 11-year old innocent who stole their hearts with her first single, 'Blue.' "I understand why people are disappointed in me, especially since I grew up as America's sweetheart," she acknowledges.

LeAnn has endured seeing her face all over the tabloids, accusations by Eddie's ex and acclimating to life with two little boys, by finding an unlikely outlet for her varied emotions: boxing. "Going to the gym and punching out some of my aggression on a pair of mitts has been a lifesaver," the petite singer says. "Sometimes I felt so depressed I didn't want to get out of bed, so just getting to the gym -- even for a few minutes -- was a big accomplishment. It really did make me feel better and kind of saved me. It gave me a bit of sanity. Even now, on days when I'm really frustrated, I'll walk into the gym and say to my trainer, 'We're doing a boxing workout today. For an hour. I need to hit things.'"

She's working hard to take care of her mental health as well. "I find writing to be one of the most cathartic things I can do," she says. "I get out my feelings on paper, and then I don't have to carry them around anymore. I'll write a letter filled with things I want to say, and then rather than mail it, I burn or erase it. I also pray, and I meditate when I can actually shut down my brain. It's a matter of finding the magic combination of what settles you, relaxes you, and makes you happy."

While she may have had an emotionally difficult year, the tenacious singer is determined to come out on top. "I truly believe there are lessons in it for me to learn," she says. "Cultivating strength from rough situations is the most important thing. After going through this, I know I can face anything."

LeAnn's new album, 'Lady and Gentlemen' produced by Vince Gill, hits shelves October 5. She'll spend much of the fall on the road supporting her new CD. Find her tour dates here.