Who Plays Kira in Reba: The Reality Behind Scarlett Pomers’ Disappearance

You remember the sarcasm. That razor-sharp, dry-as-a-bone wit that made the middle child of the Hart family stand out. If you’re rewatching the show on Netflix or catching reruns, you might be wondering who plays Kira in Reba (even if the show actually spells it "Kyra").

The actress is Scarlett Pomers.

She was the kid who could go toe-to-toe with Reba McEntire’s legendary comedic timing without breaking a sweat. But for a lot of fans, the real mystery isn't just who she is—it’s why she suddenly vanished from the dinner table during the show's peak.

Honestly, the story behind her absence is a lot heavier than the sitcom’s laugh track suggests.

The Star Behind Kyra Hart

Scarlett Pomers didn't just stumble into the role of Kyra. By the time she joined the cast of Reba in 2001, she was already a seasoned pro. She’d basically grown up on sets.

Most sci-fi nerds recognize her from Star Trek: Voyager, where she played Naomi Wildman. She even popped up in Michael Jackson’s "Heal the World" music video when she was just three years old.

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On Reba, she played the middle child. She was the one who didn't have the "perfect" problems of Cheyenne or the adorable ignorance of Jake. She was the observer. The sarcastic truth-teller.

Why Scarlett Pomers Left in Season 5

If you’re binge-watching, you’ll notice something weird in Season 5. Kyra just... stops appearing. She’s only in two episodes out of twenty-two.

The show gave some vague excuses. They said she was at her dad’s house or off doing "middle child things." But in reality, Scarlett was fighting for her life.

She was struggling with a severe case of anorexia nervosa.

At her lowest point, the 17-year-old actress reportedly weighed only 73 pounds. It wasn't a "diet gone wrong" or a Hollywood trend. It was a serious medical crisis. Her family and the show’s producers eventually stepped in. She checked into a treatment facility for nearly five months to focus on her recovery.

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When she finally returned for Season 6, the writers made a choice that still sparks debate today. Her first line back? "I went to get something to eat."

Some fans found it a brave way to acknowledge the elephant in the room with the show’s signature humor. Others? They found it incredibly insensitive given how close she’d come to the edge.

Where is Scarlett Pomers Now?

After Reba wrapped in 2007, you might have expected Scarlett to jump into another sitcom. She didn't.

She basically walked away from the Hollywood machine.

She did a bit of music for a while with the Scarlett Pomers Band, leaning into a hard rock sound that was a million miles away from the country-pop vibe of the show. She also became a massive advocate for the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA). She even started her own organization called Arch-Angels to help people who couldn't afford treatment.

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Life After the Limelight

These days, she isn't chasing red carpets. She’s mostly retired from acting, though she has mentioned doing occasional voiceover work.

She’s found a second life in:

• Photography: She has a real eye for it and has worked professionally in the field.
• Jewelry Design: A creative outlet that doesn't involve being under a spotlight.
• Music: It remains her primary passion, even if it’s not for the charts.

It’s actually pretty refreshing. In a world where every former child star is trying to launch a podcast or get on a reality show, she just chose a normal, healthy life.

The Reba Legacy

The show continues to find new audiences. Whether it's the 2026 streaming boom or cable marathons, people still love the Hart family. And while Reba McEntire and Melissa Peterman have reunited for new projects like Happy's Place, Scarlett seems content to leave Kyra in the past.

If you're looking for more info on the cast, remember that most of them stayed in the industry. JoAnna Garcia Swisher (Cheyenne) is a Hallmark and Netflix staple. Steve Howey (Van) went on to Shameless. But Scarlett’s path reminds us that sometimes, the best move for your health is to simply step out of the frame.

To support someone struggling with similar issues as Scarlett did, you can reach out to organizations like NEDA for resources and guidance. If you're revisiting the series, keep an eye out for those Season 6 episodes—knowing the context makes Kyra’s return feel like a much bigger victory than it did back then.