Reba McEntire and Nick Jonas have given fans a dose of pure nostalgia, recreating a throwback photo from their shared Broadway days more than two decades ago. The moment unfolded on the set of “The Voice,” where Jonas is serving as McEntire’s advisor for the Battle Rounds in Season 28. The 70-year-old country superstar and the 33-year-old pop sensation posed for a side-by-side comparison that has the internet buzzing, racking up millions of views and shares across social media platforms.
The original snapshot dates back to 2001, when a young Jonas, then just 8 years old, starred alongside McEntire in the Broadway revival of “Annie Get Your Gun.” McEntire made her Broadway debut as the lead character, Annie Oakley, in the production that ran at the Marquis Theatre. Jonas played Little Jake, one of the show’s child roles, and the photo captures McEntire hugging the pint-sized actor, both dressed in their Western costumes. It’s a sweet reminder of Jonas’ early days in show business, long before he became a teen idol with the Jonas Brothers.
Fast forward to October 14, 2025, and the pair decided to revisit that memory during filming for “The Voice.” In a video posted to McEntire’s Instagram, the two strike the same pose—McEntire wrapping her arm around Jonas, both grinning ear-to-ear. The clip splits the screen between the 2001 original and the 2025 recreation, set to upbeat music that emphasizes the “full circle” vibe. McEntire captioned it, “Full circle with my #VoiceBattles advisor!! 🎤❤️” Jonas reposted the video, adding his own note: “From Little Jake to Battle Advisor—couldn’t ask for a better full circle moment with my Broadway big sis.”
The recreation comes as Jonas joins McEntire’s team on “The Voice,” offering his expertise to help her contestants navigate the competition. McEntire, who has been a coach on the show since Season 24, praised Jonas for his insights during the Battles episode that aired Monday. “Nick’s got that fresh perspective—he’s been through the wringer in this industry,” McEntire told Entertainment Tonight in a post-show interview. Jonas, who previously coached on Seasons 18 and 20, seemed thrilled to be back. “Working with Reba is like coming home—she was one of my first mentors in this crazy business,” he said.
Fans have flooded the comments with reactions, many expressing surprise at the long-standing connection between the two stars. “I had no idea Nick was in Annie Get Your Gun with Reba! This is adorable,” one user wrote on Instagram. Another added, “Full circle moments like this are what make Hollywood special. So wholesome!” The video has garnered over 3 million views on McEntire’s page alone, with shares on TikTok and X pushing it even further. It’s not just nostalgia; it’s a clever bit of promotion for “The Voice,” which is in its 28th season and features coaches McEntire, Gwen Stefani, Snoop Dogg, and Michael Bublé.
McEntire’s Broadway stint in “Annie Get Your Gun” was a pivotal moment in her career. The Oklahoma native, already a country music powerhouse with hits like “Fancy” and “I’m a Survivor,” stepped onto the stage for the first time at age 46. Her performance earned rave reviews, with The New York Times calling her “a natural” in the role previously made famous by Ethel Merman. The production, directed by Graciela Daniele, ran for 1,046 performances and earned McEntire a Drama Desk Award nomination. For Jonas, it was one of his earliest gigs. The New Jersey kid had already appeared in “Les Misérables” and “Beauty and the Beast,” but sharing the stage with McEntire left a lasting impression. “Reba taught me about owning your space and being kind to everyone,” Jonas recalled in a 2019 interview with Billboard.
The recreation isn’t the first time McEntire and Jonas have crossed paths since those Broadway days. They’ve bumped into each other at awards shows and industry events over the years, but this “Voice” collaboration marks their first professional reunion. McEntire, who’s been married to manager Narvel Blackstock since 1989 (they divorced in 2015) and is now dating actor Rex Linn, has embraced her role as a mentor on the show. Jonas, married to actress Priyanka Chopra since 2018 and a father to daughter Malti Marie, brings his pop sensibility to McEntire’s country roots. “It’s a match made in music heaven,” said “Voice” executive producer Audrey Morrissey in a statement to Variety.
The timing couldn’t be better for both stars. McEntire is promoting her new album “Stronger Than the Truth,” released in September 2025, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Country chart—her 14th to do so. She’s also set to star in a CBS sitcom reboot of “Happy’s Place,” premiering later this month. Jonas, meanwhile, is gearing up for a Jonas Brothers reunion tour in 2026 and has a solo project in the works. Their shared history adds a layer of authenticity to “The Voice,” a show that’s seen its share of celebrity coaches but rarely such deep-rooted connections.
Social media has turned the photo into a meme frenzy, with users editing in other celebrity pairs or captioning it with “When your mentee becomes your mentor.” It’s also sparked interest in the original “Annie Get Your Gun” cast, with former co-stars like Tom Wopat (Frank Butler) chiming in on X: “Proud of my little Jake! Reba’s still got it.” The Broadway League even reposted the video, noting, “From the Marquis to the mic—Broadway bonds last a lifetime.”
Critics have praised the moment for its genuineness in an industry often accused of superficiality. “In a world of scripted reality TV, this feels real,” wrote a reviewer for The Hollywood Reporter. “McEntire and Jonas remind us that showbiz is about relationships, not just ratings.” Ratings, however, are up: Monday’s episode drew 7.2 million viewers, a 15% bump from the previous week, per Nielsen.
For McEntire, the recreation is more than a gimmick—it’s a nod to her journey from Oklahoma farms to Hollywood lights. “Nick was this tiny thing with big dreams, and look at him now,” she told People magazine. Jonas echoes the sentiment: “Reba’s like family. This full circle is everything.” As “The Voice” battles rage on, this hug from the past might just be the secret weapon McEntire needs to claim the crown.
The photo’s resurgence has also highlighted the enduring appeal of “Annie Get Your Gun,” Irving Berlin’s classic musical about sharpshooter Annie Oakley. The 2001 revival, which grossed over $50 million, featured updated lyrics by Peter Stone to address cultural sensitivities, and McEntire’s performance was credited with reviving interest in the show. Jonas, who went on to star in “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” (2012) and “Les Misérables” (2010 revival), credits Broadway for his pop polish. “Those stages taught me discipline,” he said on the podcast “Armchair Expert” in 2024.
In the broader context of “The Voice,” this reunion fits the show’s formula of blending genres and generations. McEntire, a Country Music Hall of Famer with 59 No. 1 hits, brings twang to a panel that includes pop icon Stefani, rap legend Snoop, and crooner Bublé. Jonas’ advisor role—following stints as coach in Seasons 18 and 20—adds star power, with his feedback during Battles praised for its “honest edge.” “He knows what it takes to make it,” McEntire said on air.
The viral clip has boosted streams for both artists: McEntire’s “Fancy” jumped 20% on Spotify, while Jonas’ “Levels” saw a 15% spike. It’s also revived interest in Broadway revivals, with talks of a new “Annie Get Your Gun” in the works. For fans, it’s a feel-good escape in a divisive year—proof that time heals, hugs endure, and showbiz full circles spin sweetest.
As McEntire gears up for more “Voice” victories and Jonas plots his next chart-topper, their Broadway bond remains unbreakable. “24 years later, and we’re still hugging it out,” McEntire quipped in the video. In Hollywood’s whirlwind, that’s the real win.
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