LeAnn Rimes stepped into the role of stepmother when she married Eddie Cibrian in 2011, even though she doesn’t have any biological children of her own. Eddie’s sons, Jake and Mason Cibrian, were born during his previous marriage to “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star Brandi Glanville. When Rimes became their stepmother, the boys were very young, and they were even younger when Rimes and Eddie had an affair on the set of “Northern Lights,” which ultimately led to the end of Eddie’s marriage to Glanville. Despite the initial turmoil, as of October 2023, Rimes and Eddie are still together.
In 2011, when asked about having children of their own, Rimes mentioned on “Chelsea Lately” that it wasn’t in their immediate plans. She emphasized that they were already heavily involved in co-parenting with 50% responsibility for Mason and Jake, keeping them quite occupied. Judging from their social media, which is filled with snapshots of their joyful family moments and affectionate posts, such as Rimes’ heartfelt Father’s Day tribute to Eddie in 2023, it’s clear that Rimes has played a significant role in her stepchildren’s lives over the years. However, it wasn’t always an easy journey for her.
Rimes has been candid about the challenges she faced in her stepmother role. In 2011, she expressed discomfort with the “step-parent” label, acknowledging the societal connotations associated with it. She also admitted feeling a sense of intimidation entering an already-established family dynamic.
By 2017, Rimes had a more reflective perspective on parenting, emphasizing that it’s universally challenging. Her unique upbringing in the spotlight, which deprived her of a typical childhood, contributed to her learning curve in step-parenting. Rimes acknowledged that her experience with the kids pushed her to confront areas where she needed personal growth.
She credited Eddie for setting a positive tone in their household, not just by instructing the children to respect her, but also by demonstrating that respect himself. This approach seemed to have a positive impact on their family dynamics.
Over time, Rimes and her stepchildren seem to have found their groove. In a 2016 appearance on “Loose Women,” Rimes discussed the adjustments they all had to make, emphasizing that blended families often require time to find their equilibrium. By 2020, Rimes noted that Jake and Mason were down-to-earth kids, unaffected by the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. They enjoyed spending quality time together, whether it was during vacations, celebrating holidays, or attending sports events.
Despite the initial challenges, it’s evident that LeAnn Rimes has formed a strong bond with her stepchildren, and they’ve found their own unique rhythm as a blended family.
