Reba McEntire played a TV mom for five seasons on “Reba,” but the country music icon has also given one of her former co-stars some real-life motherly love. JoAnna Garcia Swisher explained on an episode of the “Sibling Revelry” podcast that her relationship with McEntire has extended far beyond their on-air family ties. “She is such an incredible human, just like just in general,” Swisher said of working with McEntire on the April 11, 2025 episode. “Her work ethic is extreme. She’s so kind…”
That kindness extends to Swisher’s children, who adore her former TV mom. “She came to the Stary Festival to play, which is close to us,” Swisher said, “And so we saw her play, and the girls love her so much. She’s so good to my girls.” Even though “Reba” went off the air in 2007, the two actors have continued to celebrate important milestones in each other’s lives and maintain their close connection.
McEntire Played a Role in Swisher’s Real-Life Wedding in 2010
GettyDuring her Sibling Revelry podcast interview, Swisher revealed that McEntire was there for her during a significant life event: Her 2010 wedding to Nick Swisher. According to Swisher, McEntire and fellow co-stars Melissa Peterman and Chris Rich helped her celebrate this special occasion. McEntire and Peterman both stepped in to be bridesmaids while Rich officiated the ceremony.
More recently, as Swisher shared in her interview, McEntire and other “Reba” cast members helped the actor fill a tough void in her life: “Yeah, to this day, I mean, I’ve lost my mom and dad, you know, and they’ve just stepped in.” Sadly, as Good Housekeeping reported, Swisher’s father died in late 2019, and her mother died barely two years later in early 2021.
Swisher Showed Her Support for The Singer’s New Sitcom
GettyThe wrapping of “Reba” led the cast members to go their separate ways, at least professionally. Still, McEntire and Peterman got another chance to work together again on the sitcom “Happy’s Place,” starting in 2024. As Variety later shared, NBC renewed the series for a second season in early 2025.
Before the sitcom premiered, Swisher told People how she felt about her former co-stars’ new venture with People. “I told them the other day, I was like, I’m going to be there for the first taping,” Swisher said. “And I’m going to be the audience member that’s going to laugh at all of their jokes.” When asked if she would be interested in appearing alongside McEntire and Peterman on the series, Swisher said: “Yes, they know I would do anything for them! A hundred percent, I would do the show.”