In the bustling world of prime-time television, where drama unfolds both on and off the screen, country music star LeAnn Rimes is stirring excitement among fans of ABC's 9-1-1: Nashville. The 43-year-old singer, who plays the fiery paramedic Dixie in the hit series, recently opened up about the possibility of her husband, actor Eddie Cibrian, stepping into a role alongside her—potentially as Dixie's long-awaited love interest. Speaking exclusively to Us Weekly, Rimes shared insights into her character's romantic prospects and the couple's harmonious home life, offering a glimpse into how their real-world partnership might intersect with the show's high-stakes narratives.
The series, a spin-off of the popular procedural 9-1-1, premiered earlier this year and has quickly captivated audiences with its blend of emergency response action and personal storylines set against the vibrant backdrop of Nashville, Tennessee. Rimes' Dixie, a tough yet vulnerable first responder, has become a fan favorite, and viewers have been eagerly speculating about her potential romantic entanglements. In her interview, Rimes addressed the buzz directly, expressing enthusiasm for her character's development. “We just did a crossover episode with a couple of the guys on 9-1-1 and Dixie doesn’t fall short of a little flirtation in that episode," she said. "So there is a little of that going on. I do think she needs a love interest at some point because she needs some distraction.”
This flirtatious hint comes at a pivotal time for the show, which airs Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET on ABC, with episodes streaming the following day on Hulu. The crossover episode Rimes referenced bridges the original Los Angeles-based series and its Nashville counterpart, introducing new dynamics and character interactions that have kept viewers hooked. Fans have flooded social media with theories about Dixie's love life, often pointing to Cibrian, 52, as an ideal on-screen match given his acting background and the couple's palpable chemistry.
Rimes didn't shy away from the idea of her husband joining the cast. The couple, married since 2011 after a highly publicized romance that began on the set of the Lifetime movie Northern Lights in 2009, has long navigated the spotlight together. “They’ve definitely talked about it because he’s on set with me a lot,” Rimes revealed. “Sometimes they just say that we should be putting him to work. Who knows? He could come on and play my love interest all day long. I would have no problem with that.” Cibrian, known for roles in shows like Third Watch and CSI: Miami, has been a supportive presence during Rimes' filming, which she described as a learning curve after years away from regular acting gigs.
Beyond the professional speculation, Rimes painted a picture of domestic bliss that contrasts sharply with the chaos of her career. The couple resides in a Nashville-area home with Cibrian's sons from his previous marriage—Mason, 22, and Jake, 18—who Rimes affectionately refers to as her stepsons. “It’s very calm, which is so nice. My stepsons are 22 and 18 and they’re still living at home. I don’t think they’ll ever move out of our house,” she quipped, highlighting the grounded family dynamic they've cultivated. “Everybody is great and everything is so quiet. We both are very calm people and we just enjoying very normal stuff. Then we leave our little nest to go do these things that are our jobs and then we come back and do normal things.”
This sense of normalcy marks a refreshing chapter for Rimes, whose life has been a whirlwind since she burst onto the music scene as a teenager with her 1996 debut album Blue, which sold over 8 million copies worldwide. After decades of touring, recording, and personal upheavals—including her divorce from her first husband Dean Sheremet in 2010—she's embracing stability. “For me especially, everything has been go, go, go, my whole life," she reflected. "So to be able to settle into something that feels normal and calm was unnerving for a while. Because my nervous system doesn’t know what to do with calm. But I’ve started to train it enough that now it’s just like, ‘Oh, this is a breath of fresh air.'”
Professionally, Rimes' role in 9-1-1: Nashville represents a bold return to acting, her first as a series regular. The show, created by Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Tim Minear—the same team behind the original 9-1-1—follows first responders tackling emergencies in Music City, weaving in themes of resilience and community. Rimes joined the ensemble cast, which includes country singers like Hailey Mia and Walker Hayes, alongside established actors such as Dennis Quaid and Megan Fox. “I’ve never been a regular on a series," she explained. "It was juggling all the things of life along with touring and then something that I don’t do normally. It’s not second nature to me. Every time I walked on set, I was learning, and it was great having Eddie with me sometimes, because I’m like, ‘Explain to me, what are they talking about? What are these words that I’ve never heard before because I haven’t been on set in forever?'”
Each episode brought fresh challenges, pushing Rimes to adapt quickly. “Every episode was something new," she noted. "I would get the scripts, and I’d be like, ‘Oh, my God, can I pull this off? Then you just dive in and do it. I’ve learned a lot from the show.” Her growth on set has been evident, with critics praising her authentic portrayal of Dixie, a character inspired by the real-life demands of emergency services in Nashville, a city known for its healthcare hubs and rapid response teams.
Adding another layer to her involvement, Rimes contributed original music to the series, blending her musical expertise with the storyline. Her new single, “Wild Things Run,” was crafted specifically for a montage in the midseason return episode, which aired in late 2023. The song captures the tumultuous push-and-pull of Dixie's relationship with her colleague Don, played by Chris O’Donnell. “I’ve been living this song for a while, but it actually happened very fast," Rimes recalled. "TV moves quickly, so I got the script, but the very, very rough draft of the montage of the song was going to be put behind on the show. From that moment to releasing it now has only been a few weeks time. In the grand scheme of things, I live with songs for months before it gets released. So, it feels great. I’m so happy it’s out in the world. I’m so happy people get to see the episode with the song in it. It was great to be able to create something for Dixie.”
“It keeps you on your toes. I feel like Don and Dixie’s relationship has been these two wild souls running towards each other and then away from each other. Then the universe always is bringing them back together. So we wrote it kind of from that perspective,” Rimes said of the track's inspiration.
The creation process was intense, reflecting the fast-paced television production. “It is also a song that Dixie gets discovered by," she added. "So it has to feel like a hit song, which usually when I write, I don’t think about that. … It was a great way to stretch my brain as a writer. Actually, it has given me some interesting thoughts about how to go about writing a new record from this perspective, and I love the way that the song is so cinematic. It sparked something in me for moving forward into writing my next record. It’s a good moment in time that’s just sparking a lot of things in me.” Released via her label, the single has already garnered attention on country charts, underscoring Rimes' enduring versatility as an artist with 13 studio albums to her name.
While Rimes' comments have fueled speculation, no official casting announcements have been made regarding Cibrian's involvement. Producers have remained tight-lipped, but the idea aligns with the show's history of incorporating real-life connections—much like how Angela Bassett and Peter Krause's off-screen romance influenced their characters in the original series. Cibrian's presence on set, as Rimes described, could provide an organic opportunity, especially as 9-1-1: Nashville heads into its full season, building on the success of its parent show, which has run for seven seasons since 2018.
The couple's story itself carries broader context in Hollywood, where high-profile relationships often intersect with career moves. Rimes and Cibrian's union, once tabloid fodder due to its origins amid divorces, has evolved into a model of stability. Their shared experiences in the entertainment industry—Rimes with Grammy wins and Cibrian with Emmy-nominated work—position them uniquely for collaborative projects. As Rimes balances filming in Nashville with tour dates, including recent stops promoting her 2023 album God's Work, the potential for Cibrian to join her on screen represents not just a plot twist but a testament to their enduring partnership.
Looking ahead, 9-1-1: Nashville continues to explore themes of love, loss, and redemption amid emergencies, with upcoming episodes promising more crossovers and character arcs. Rimes' multifaceted role—actress, musician, and family anchor—highlights the show's appeal to a wide audience, from country music enthusiasts to procedural drama fans. Whether Cibrian makes an appearance remains to be seen, but Rimes' openness suggests the door is wide ajar. For now, fans can tune in weekly to watch Dixie's journey unfold, with Rimes' real-life insights adding an extra layer of intrigue to the on-screen action.
As the series gains momentum, Rimes' experience serves as inspiration for other musicians transitioning to acting, echoing past successes like Reba McEntire's role in Reba or Dolly Parton's ventures into film. In a town like Nashville, where music and storytelling converge, Rimes' contributions to 9-1-1: Nashville bridge those worlds seamlessly, potentially paving the way for more such integrations in future seasons.