LeAnn Rimes Discusses Facing Her Greatest Fear in 9-1-1: Nashville

When singer LeAnn Rimes first learned that 9-1-1: Nashville was planning a direct homage to the 2006 feature film Snakes on a Plane—and that her character Dixie would be central to the chaos—she immediately reached out to showrunner Rashad Raisani with a confession. Rimes admitted to TVLine that she was terrified of the reptiles, revealing a lifelong phobia rooted in recurring childhood dreams.

From Real Phobia to on-Set Advantage

That personal dread turned into an unexpected asset on set. While the production utilized a couple of physical plastic props, most of the harrowing airborne scenes relied entirely on imagination as passengers fought off the smuggled serpents. Rimes noted that her genuine unease gave her a distinct edge when reacting to the imaginary threats.

A Cinematic Lineage Behind the Camera

The production also had a direct link to the original cinematic inspiration behind the storyline. Tommy Lohmann, who served as a camera operator on the 2006 film, currently works as the director of photography for 9-1-1: Nashville. Rimes credited Lohmann with guiding her through the intricate physical movements required for action sequences, noting that working alongside someone from the original movie’s crew heavily shaped her performance.

Why LeAnn Rimes Was 'Terrified' To Film 9-1-1: Nashville's Snakes On A Plane Episode – TVLine https://t.co/HfqmFpCfL3
— https://x.com/TVLine/status/2118540451800097166

How the Airborne Crisis Unfolds on Screen

In the episode, the reptiles are smuggled onto the flight by a character named Pharaoh. With assistance from Cammie—who connects with Dixie over a phone call—the pilot and terrified passengers manage to hold off the animals long enough to force an emergency landing.

Music in the Midst of Chaos

The landing proves to be dangerously rough. To calm her fellow passengers during the ordeal, Dixie breaks into a rendition of “Amazing Grace.” Rimes explained that singing the hymn felt entirely authentic to her own travel habits, noting that she often ponders what song she would use to soothe herself if an actual aviation emergency ever occurred.

Unanswered Questions in the Cabin

Rogue, a character known for handling snakes, was notably missing from the flight, leaving the passengers to fend for themselves without his expertise.