LeAnn Rimes Reveals Advice 9-1-1’s Rob Lowe Gave Before Nashville Spinoff

LeAnn Rimes received unexpected insights ahead of the debut of her ABC show 9-1-1: Nashville.

“I recently had a conversation with Rob Lowe, and he mentioned that if you’re looking for reality, this series might not be the right choice. We feature the wildest rescues which make it compelling,’” Rimes, 43, told Us Weekly exclusively on Tuesday, October 7, during the premiere in Nashville. “We often think, ‘There’s no way this could occur in real life,’ only to be shown articles proving they are based on real events.”

Rimes expressed her enjoyment for the quirks of the 9-1-1 universe.

“Consider the billions of people in the world; it’s likely that some bizarre events do happen. Whenever we think something is improbable, there’s an article confirming it has occurred,” she noted. “Once you embrace the absurdity of this show, you can’t help but love it.”

Rimes reminisced: “When I watched the initial episodes of 9-1-1, I thought, ‘What am I even seeing?’ By the third episode, I was completely engrossed in their unique universe. You just end up falling for it.”

The 9-1-1 franchise started with its original series, debuting on Fox in 2018, which showcased both the professional and personal trials of first responders in Los Angeles, featuring stars like Angela Bassett, Peter Krause, Aisha Hinds, Oliver Stark, Connie Britton, and Kenneth Choi. Despite its cancellation by Fox in 2023, ABC picked up the series, which continues to air.

The franchise expanded with 9-1-1: Lone Star, focusing on a New York City firefighter portrayed by Lowe, who moved to Texas and juggled his professional responsibilities alongside personal challenges with a cast including Liv Tyler, Ronen Rubinstein, Rafael L. Silva, Sierra McClain, Jim Parrack, Natacha Karam, Brian Michael Smith, Julian Works, and Gina Torres.

As of 2023, 9-1-1: Lone Star secured its fifth and concluding season at Fox. The creators Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Tim Minear have expanded the universe further with the Nashville spinoff.

“You’re absolutely correct; there is a kitschy aspect with some real Dynasty-esque scenes,” Rimes stated in Us‘ cover feature. “It’s not solely about the intense rescues but also includes drama and a nighttime soap opera feel. We really get to enjoy ourselves with this, and the overall tone is lighthearted, which is fantastic for me.”

She added, “My previous roles have always been extensions of who I am, but this character allows me to explore much more than I thought possible. Expressing emotions like rage and frustration on set is quite entertaining. It contrasts sharply with my usual demeanor and past roles.”

9-1-1: Nashville is set to premiere on ABC on Thursday, October 8, at 9 p.m. ET and will be available for streaming the following day on Hulu.