Reba McEntire Engaged to Rex Linn: Inside Their Love Story

Reba McEntire realized pretty early on that she’d found her happy place in now-fiancé Rex Linn.

It wasn’t love at first sight for these two. The country music star and the actor, now 68, have actually known each other since 1991, when they worked together on the TV movie *The Gambler Returns: The Luck of the Draw*.

After Reba’s 26-year marriage to her manager, Narvel Blackstock, ended in 2020, she appeared as a guest star on the show *Young Sheldon*. She told Francesca Amiker of TopMob News last year that she and the cast immediately connected, describing the experience as if they were drawn together like magnets.

Because of restrictions during the pandemic, they weren’t able to see each other from January until mid-June. However, the 70-year-old explained that this distance actually brought them closer, as they developed a deeper connection through texting and phone calls – a connection they might not have had if they’d been together constantly.

It seems social distancing actually helped their relationship! The singer, who is a coach on *The Voice*, shared that she and her partner have been together since June 16, 2020, and she’s thankful they were able to develop a strong and meaningful connection even while being apart.

She observed that people are naturally drawn to the tangible and immediate. Plus, they had the chance to build a friendship before anything else developed.

Reba explained that you truly know and accept someone, flaws and all. It’s about loving them for who they are, not just being physically attracted to them or judging them based on how they look.

And with Rex, she can’t even get the blues.

She told TopMob that he always made her laugh, and he even made her think differently about her future. Having been divorced twice before – once from steer wrestling champion Charlie Battles and again from Narvel (father to her son Shelby Blackstock, as well as Chassidy, Shawna, and the late Brandon Blackstock) – she started to believe this relationship could be different and last.

I really care about Rex,” she told TopMob. “If he strongly wants to get married, I’m perfectly fine with it. He’s never been married, and if he wants to try it, I support that.

She seemed genuinely fine with it, especially considering the new diamond ring she was showing off at the 2025 Emmys.

Because NBC has renewed their sitcom, *Happy Place*, for another season, the show’s central couple will continue their relationship on screen for the foreseeable future.

After Zuri Hall, reporting from the 2025 Emmys for *Live From TopMob*, called Rex her fiancé, Reba shared that they were already enjoying their life together as a married couple, whether officially wed or not.

“We’re having a blast on Happy’s Place,” she shared, “and so glad to be here tonight.”

Really, she’s thrillled to be anywhere by Rex’s side.

Every Valentine’s Day, they have a tradition of going to Sonic-a spot that might be where their nicknames, Sugar Tot and Tater Tot, came from. And when Christmas rolls around, they always enjoy popcorn and candy.

Reba told TopMob News last December that her family celebrates Christmas on Christmas Eve. She explained that they start the day by going to a movie early in the morning, before the theaters get crowded, and then return home for their Christmas meal.

Reba joked, “You caught me saying ‘meals’ – we’re going to have lunch, dinner, and likely a late-night snack too. That’s how it’s going to be from now on!”

After all, breaking bread is part of what pulled them together back in 2020.

Reba remembered telling Today in 2023 that Rex had texted her, asking if she was planning a trip to Los Angeles and suggesting they have dinner. She admitted she was eager to see him, saying she ‘could hardly stand it’ because they were so close and spent a lot of time together.

Little has changed with the two continuing to mix business and pleasure.

Reba told TopMob that she and Rex first connected on the set of the movie *The Gambler* back in 1991. They’ve been comfortable working and living together ever since – as partners, friends, and a couple. She says, ‘It just works for us.’

Of course, she added, “You better like ’em—all the time. It’s 24/7, so I do like him a lot.“

With the musician hinting at a return to focusing on her personal life, let’s remember all of her biggest accomplishments so far.