Reba McEntire Met Nick Jonas When He Was a Little Kid in Annie Get Your Gun on Broadway
Long before Nick Jonas became a global pop star and long before millions of fans watched him return to country stages as a guest on award shows or television specials, he had already crossed paths with a true country legend — Reba McEntire. Their first meeting wasn’t at a glamorous industry event or backstage at an awards show. It happened in one of the most unexpected and charming places imaginable: a Broadway theater, during Reba’s celebrated run as Annie Oakley in Annie Get Your Gun.
Reba has often spoken fondly about her time on Broadway. In 2001, she stepped into the role of Annie Oakley and took the theater world by storm. Critics praised her energy, humor, and crystal-clear vocals. Audiences adored her natural stage presence. And among the many who came through the theater during her run was a young boy with big dreams — little Nick Jonas.
At the time, the Jonas family was living in New York while Nick pursued early theater roles. Reba recalled meeting him backstage — a sweet, polite child who loved music and who, even then, had a spark in his eyes. He was one of many aspiring young performers who found inspiration in Reba’s confidence, humility, and incredible work ethic. For Reba, that meeting remained one of those small but memorable moments in which she saw firsthand how the next generation of talent begins: with wide eyes, curiosity, and a simple love of performing.
Years later, when Nick Jonas became famous in his own right, Reba was delighted to rediscover that the boy she had once met backstage had grown into an accomplished singer, actor, and songwriter. Their reunion in the entertainment industry felt like a full-circle moment, proof of how small — and beautifully interconnected — the world of music and performance can be.
Reba has mentioned with warmth that Nick remembered her from those early days. He recalled meeting the woman who commanded the Broadway stage with the same strength and charisma she brought to country music. For him, seeing Reba succeed in yet another arena was both inspiring and formative. It showed him, even as a child, that careers can evolve, stretch, and transform.
The story of their first meeting is also a reminder of Reba’s extraordinary versatility. Not only did she win over Nashville, but she earned critical acclaim on Broadway, proving that great storytelling transcends genre. Her run in Annie Get Your Gun was hailed as one of the strongest celebrity replacements in modern Broadway history, with many critics calling it a career highlight. During that time, she met countless young fans and future stars — Nick Jonas simply happened to be one whose path would later cross hers again.
For fans of both artists, the anecdote brings a smile. It is a testament to how inspirational figures like Reba McEntire unknowingly shape the creative journeys of younger performers. And it’s also a testament to Nick Jonas’s dedication — a reminder that his success was built long before his rise to fame, in early days spent observing and learning from artists like Reba.
Today, when Reba and Nick appear together in interviews or on televised events, there is an easy respect between them — the kind that comes from shared history, even one that began with a young boy backstage and a Broadway star ready to step out and take her final bow for the night.
Their story is sweet, simple, and full of heart — a reminder that in the world of entertainment, some of the most meaningful connections begin in the most unexpected places. And for Reba, it is another chapter in a life filled with music, storytelling, kindness, and moments that stay with her long after the curtain falls.