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JoAnna Garcia Swisher Explains Why She Moved to a Small Town in Georgia

JoAnna Garcia Swisher is opening up about her decision to move her family to a small town in Georgia.

The 43-year-old Steel Magnolias actress, her husband Nick Swisher, and their two kids currently live in Lake Oconee, Georgia, which is about 85 miles southeast of Atlanta.

JoAnna first fell in love with the location in 2017 and when she started working on Steel Magnolias, she decided to move there as filming was nearby.

“I was commuting in and out of work, no problem; my husband made a million friends; and my daughters were the happiest they’ve ever been,” JoAnna said in Southern Living’s first-ever digital issue, The Dream Homes issue. “I thought, ‘How could I ever deny my family this?’”

Here’s what else she shared with the mag:

On making a home no matter the location: “I realized how connected I am to my spaces, whether that be my home, or if I’m settling into a hotel room for an extended stay, or my trailer at work. I lay rugs and hang art in my trailers. Everyone thinks I’m crazy, but I do.”

On the only rules she has for guests at her house: “Treat it like your own when you’re here. You don’t have to ask for a drink; you can make yourself a snack. I just want you to feel at home.”

On creating a joyful home meant to be enjoyed: “I think it’s about telling your story and surrounding yourself with things that mean something, a memory. There’s no real formula. It’s about you and your family, or whoever occupies the space… It’s the little thing—the trinket, book, picture, whatever it is—that invites you to lean in and look closer and say, ‘Oh, what’s this? What’s that story? What does it mean?’ I think that makes for a happy place—somewhere that is an extension of who you are and what’s in your heart.”

On falling in love with Lake Oconee and life at the lake: “The stars are so beautiful here. I find myself taking longer walks and riding my bike after dinner and enjoying this beautiful place. Things become really meaningful and intentional, even if it’s just taking a nap; we’re not bogging ourselves down with the chaos of life. That’s not to say I’m not really busy, but there’s something about being on the lake. We savor the moments more.”

For more from JoAnna, visit SouthernLiving.com.

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Monica Potter Replaced by JoAnna Garcia Swisher in Netflix's 'Sweet Magnolias'

Monica Potter will no longer be starring in the upcoming Netflix series Sweet Magnolias.

The 48-year-old Parenthood actress has been replaced in the series by JoAnna Garcia Swisher, Deadline reports. It’s unknown why the show made the casting change.

JoAnna will now be playing Maddie Townsend – “a low-key, but resolute, warm and loving woman with a vocabulary like Southern poetry. She finds herself at a crossroads in her life and her best friends are trying desperately to convince her that now is the time for reinvention.”

Jamie Lynn Spears, Brooke Elliott, Heather Headley, Chris Klein, and Justin Bruening will also star. The series is based on Sherryl Woods’ popular series of novels set in Serenity, South Carolina.

CHECK OUT: Jamie Lynn Spears Goes Brunette for Upcoming ‘Sweet Magnolias’ Role!

Joanna Garcia Photo Gallery

Hilary Duff, Ashlee Simpson & More Mingle Saint Candle Launch

There were so many celebs who stepped out to support Ira and Bill DeWitt‘s Saint candle launch benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital last night in Beverly Hills, Calif!

Hilary Duff was seen mingling with celebs including Ashlee Simpson and her husband Evan Ross. Jennifer Morrison met up with Colin Egglesfield and the pair caught up before checking out the candles. Scott Eastwood was also seen chatting with Geoff Stults while hanging out inside the event.

Other celebs seen at the event were Jamie Chung and Bryan Greenberg, Max Greenfield, Dave and Odette Annable, Ashley Greene with her husband Paul Khoury, Jamie Lynn Sigler, Kevin Zegers, Ian Bohen, Joanna Garcia, Smokey Robinson, and more.

Take a look inside the event…

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Joanna Gaines Reveals Her Surprising Celebrity Crush!

Joanna Gaines is opening up about celebrity crush!

The 41-year-old Fixer Upper star recently took to her Instagram Story to share that husband Chip Gaines once asked her who her celeb crush was – and she revealed it was David Letterman.

PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of Joanna Gaines

“True story, when Chip and I were dating he asked me who my celebrity crush was,” Joanna shared along with a photo of the 72-year-old former late night host in her Magnolia’s headquarters in Waco, Texas. “I quickly answered and said @letterman. This story justifies taking this picture for sure.”

David hasn’t responded to Joanna‘s confession yet!

joanna gaines reveals surprising celebrity crush

JoAnna Garcia, Leighton Meester, & Malin Akerman Volunteer with Feeding America

JoAnna Garcia, Leighton Meester, and Malin Akerman buddy up for the afternoon as they volunteer with the Feeding America and Los Angeles Regional Food Bank Team on Tuesday (May 7) in Los Angeles.

Also stepping out to volunteer for the day was Beverly Hills, 90210 star Jennie Garth and her 21-year-old daughter Luca Facinelli.

PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of Leighton Meester

The ladies attended the volunteer event in honor of Mother’s Day, which is on Sunday, May 12.

After the event, JoAnna took to Instagram to reminisce about her day.

“I had a great time with these lovely humans volunteering with @FeedingAmerica & @LAFoodBank! 1 in 8 people in America face hunger – but it’s easy to make a difference. Start by volunteering with your local food bank,” JoAnna wrote.

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Look Inside Lea Michele's Bachelorette Party Weekend with These Pics!

Lea Michele recently had her Bachelorette party at a gorgeous Booking.com house in Kalihiwai, Hawaii.

Joining Lea for her special weekend were actresses Jamie Lynn Sigler, JoAnna Garcia Swisher, and Emma Roberts, Switch boutique owner Jennifer Cohen, and Fox executive Stephanie Levinson.

The house itself was designed by EDI Architecture and Trio Design Group. The home is 3,500 square feet with five bedrooms, five bathrooms, a fully equipped gourmet kitchen, and so much more. Additional features include a gym, sauna, garage, a black bottom swimming pool, outdoor shower and beautiful koi ponds.

During the stay in the gorgeous home, Lea and her pals enjoyed authentic Hawaiian dishes cooked by a local chef and got in-home massages!

Lea and her fiance, Zandy Reich, announced their engagement last April.More Here! »

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Kate Beckinsale, Gavin Rossdale & More Support L.A. Art Show's Opening Night Gala!

Kate Beckinsale is all smiles as she strikes a pose on the purple carpet at the 2019 LA Art Show’s Opening Night Gala held at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Wednesday (January 23) in Los Angeles.

The 45-year-old Underworld star was joined by Gavin Rossdale, Chord Overstreet, Ian Bohen, Cameron Monaghan, Dr. Drew, Brigitte Nielsen, Sabina Gadecki, Jessica Szohr, Carter Oosterhouse and his wife Amy Smart at the West Coast’s most comprehensive art experience.

PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of Kate Beckinsale

Also in attendance to show their support was Bailee Madison, Abigail Cowen, Peyton List, Joanna Garcia, Odette and Dave Annable, Perrey Reeves and Naomi Grossman.

“Such a huge honour and pleasure to host the @laartshow honouring @stjude,” Kate captioned with her Instagram post. “And to meet lovely Mia and her family who benefited from the extraordinary care @stjude offers sick children. The fact that the families pay nothing, from travel costs to food, lodging or treatment,and that @stjude has pushed the overall survival rate of childhood cancer from 20% to 80% since it began in 1962 is so moving and inspiring. Thank you for asking me to host.”

Also pictured: Kate spotted keeping it cool and casual while touching down at LAX Airport on Tuesday (January 22) in Los Angeles.

FYI: Kate is wearing a Julien Macdonald dress, Christian Louboutin shoes and AS29 Jewellery.

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