Decades of preparation! Reba McEntire and Rex Linn met paths 30 years prior to beginning their relationship.
The singer of “Fancy” met the actor while filming The Gambler Returns: The Luck of the Draw in 1991.
McEntire was previously married from 1976 to 1987 to Charlie Battles and from 1989 to 2015 to music manager Narvel Blackstock. Shelby, born in 1990, is her son with Blackstock.
McEntire remained close with the Blackstock family, including stepson Brandon Blackstock and Kelly Clarkson, who announced their separation in June 2020 after nearly seven years of marriage. (The ex-couple share a daughter named River and a son named Remington.)
“It was crucial to me to have speakers who would excite my listeners, and I believe this season’s lineup is ideal. I invited my boyfriend, the incredibly wonderful actor Rex Linn, to be my guest on the first episode,” she remarked in October. This is the first time we’ve ever had a lengthy public discussion, so I’m delighted we were able to do it on this episode.
“I’m thrilled for others to know Rex as well as I do and to hear some of his incredible and hilarious stories. I believe everyone will adore it and him as much as I do,” continued McEntire.
“The separation was not my idea. I didn’t want it in any way, shape, or form,” the country music legend told Cody Alan of CMT in 2016. “As a result, it was extremely difficult to adjust when someone was unhappy. Because life is too short to be miserable, I simply wish for everyone’s happiness.
She stated at the time, “The thing that helped me go through this transition in my life is God.” I prayed every day for the strength to put one foot in front of the other and continue doing what I’m supposed to do, as well as with my team, my friends, my family, and my girls.
Recently, after the American Idol alum’s difficult divorce, she told Extra, “I love them both… I am rooting for them both. I hope they are happy and well and overcome this challenge. I pray that everyone gives them all the encouragement they can since both of them need it right now. I adore them both with all of my heart.”
In the meanwhile, the Reba alum and Linn made their relationship official on the red carpet in the fall of 2020 and have been flaunting their relationship ever since. During an interview on Live With Kelly and Ryan, the country singer discussed how she and Linn elevated their longstanding friendship.
“In January of 2020, just before the epidemic, I had traveled to Los Angeles to film Young Sheldon. My old friend Rex Linn, whom I met in 1991 while filming The Gambler, was also working on Young Sheldon. So he sent me a text message saying, “Hey, you’re coming to Los Angeles, let’s have dinner.” And I said, ‘OK.'”
The Big Sky actress went on to describe the couple’s relationship, revealing that they call one other “Tots” and that her boyfriend sends her steaks, lobster, and pecan pie while she’s on the road.