Reba McEntire & Fiancé Rex Linn Reveal “Nontraditional” Wedding Plans

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Reba McEntire and Rex Linn have hearts of fighters. 

The stars of Happy’s Place, who got engaged in September, are doing more than just enjoying being engaged. They’ve recently hinted at what fans can expect from their wedding.

“This is going to be so much fun!” Reba, 70, told Will Marfuggi from TopMob News in a special interview. “It’ll be a wedding unlike most, because that’s just Rex and me – we prefer to be comfortable, surrounded by our friends, and enjoying good food.”

You know, my clients are always asking about balancing work and personal life, and honestly, Rex shared something really relatable. He and his partner aren’t stressing over getting every single detail perfect right now, and can you blame them? They’re super busy getting ready for season two of Happy’s Place, which is coming back November 7th! They’re working with a fantastic cast, including Belissa Escobedo, Melissa Peterman, and Tokola Black Elk, so there’s a lot going on!

Rex told TopMob News that they’re currently focused on savoring their engagement. They haven’t decided on a wedding date and are simply enjoying this special time, including daily visits to Happy’s Place.

The couple, who began dating in 2020 after reconnecting on the set of Young Sheldon years after first meeting, enjoy sharing both their work and personal lives. Rex made it clear they wouldn’t change it for the world.

The 68-year-old explained that they genuinely enjoy spending time together, both on and off set. They look forward to work each day and feel their strong real-life connection makes their on-screen scenes more natural and comfortable.

The cast of Happy’s Place is also thrilled for Reba and Rex’s relationship, with Belissa fondly remembering when the couple announced their engagement last December.

Reba’s TV sister told TopMob they received a really sweet video. She said it felt like the best gift and made her incredibly happy. Everyone in the group chat was overjoyed, sending lots and lots of heart emojis. She was really excited to hear the news.

Naturally, the couple’s good news makes the new season of the NBC sitcom even more anticipated.

Rex explained that season two shows the characters maturing and becoming more developed. The show will also delve deeper into each character’s individual life and struggles.

As he put it, “It’s getting fun.”

The second season of Happy’s Place will begin airing on NBC November 7th at 8 p.m. Eastern and Pacific time. If you’re interested in learning more about Rex and Reba’s relationship, continue reading!

Reba McEntire and Rex Linn first met in 1991 while filming a movie with Kenny Rogers, The Gambler Returns: The Luck of the Draw. Reba played a leading role, and Rex had a small part.

Reba shared on Today in April 2023 that Rex still jokes about his scene: riding into a saloon on a young horse and yelling, ‘Yeehaw!’

Although they stayed friends over the years, Reba was married to Narvel Blackstock at the time. She became stepmother to his children, Shawna, Chassidy, and Brandon, after their wedding in 1989, and they later welcomed a son, Shelby, in 1990. It wasn’t until many years later that Reba and Rex began a romantic relationship.

Reba and Rex Linn reconnected four years after Reba’s divorce in late 2015 while working on the show Young Sheldon – she as a guest star, and he in a recurring role. Reba shared on The Jennifer Hudson Show in July 2025 that Rex reached out to see if she was in town, and they agreed to have dinner. After dining with friends, they went to a wine bar where Reba ordered tater tots. Rex jokingly decided then and there that “Tater Tot” would be her nickname from then on. Fortunately for fans, there’s a photo from that memorable night. Rex posted on Instagram in January 2020 about having a great dinner with the “Oklahoma girl,” adding, “Tater Tots and Ketchup included.” They affectionately became known as “Tater Tot” and “Sugar Tot” to their fans.

Reba and Rex’s relationship began during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing them to date from a distance. Surprisingly, this actually helped them build a strong connection. In an April 2024 interview with TopMob News, Reba explained that not being able to see each other in person from January to mid-June allowed them to connect deeply through phone calls and texts – a level of intimacy they might not have achieved if they’d been together constantly. They’ve been together ever since June 16, 2020, and Reba believes the distance allowed them to truly get to know each other.

Reba and Rex publicly announced they were dating in the fall. During an October 2020 episode of her podcast, Living & Learning, Reba explained what drew her to Rex, saying it was wonderful to have someone to connect with. She enjoyed sharing stories about their lives and families, and they both appreciated each other’s careers and artistic work. She described him as interesting, funny, and smart, and valued his reciprocal interest in her. Later that month, the couple shared photos from a trip to Montana, giving fans a peek into their relationship.

I was so excited when I saw that Daiana and David officially stepped out as a couple! They made their first public appearance together at the 2020 CMA Awards, which Daiana was hosting, and it was a really special moment. It felt like a big confirmation after all the rumors, and they looked amazing together.

Fans learned more about Reba and Rex’s relationship when Rex appeared on her podcast a year later. They talked about how they’ve supported each other through difficult times, including Reba’s mother, Jacqueline McEntire, losing her battle with cancer in March 2020.

On the October 2021 episode of Living & Learning, Rex shared that he texted Reba after receiving the news about his mother’s cancer diagnosis. He said she immediately offered to be there for him, and they’ve been talking regularly ever since.

Rex also recalled Reba reaching out after his own mother passed away in 1998. He remembered a 25-minute phone call where she offered her condolences, and he said it meant a lot to him. He never imagined that two decades later, he’d be returning the support to her during a similar time.

The couple had a fancy night out at the 2022 Oscars, where Reba performed “Somehow You Do.” 

In August 2022, Reba McEntire and Rex Linn revealed they would be acting as a married couple – Sunny and Buck Barnes – on the TV show Big Sky.

Reba shared in 2022 that she and her husband enjoy working together. She explained that he’s very organized when it comes to rehearsals and always makes sure she’s fully prepared with her lines before a performance.

Reba celebrated Rex’s birthday with a sweet tribute.

“Happy birthday to the love of my life!” she wrote on Instagram in November 2022. “So glad we get to celebrate together!”

 
 

The pair continued on their journey as both costars in life and work by acting in The Hammer.

Those working with them on the 2024 film Happy’s Place also thought they appeared to be enjoying themselves.

Melissa Peterman, known from the show Reba, told People magazine in October 2024 that it’s sweet to see the cast members together. She described seeing them during breaks for meals at a bar set called Happy’s Place, looking like a couple on a genuinely cute date.

 

Reba believes she and Rex could have a lasting marriage. Speaking to TopMob in April 2024, she explained that while she’s been married twice before – once to Charlie Battles and later to Narvel – and is now hesitant about marriage itself, she’s fully committed to Rex. She’s happy for him to experience marriage if that’s what he wants, as he hasn’t been married before, and she supports his feelings on the matter.

Five years after their first dinner, Reba and Rex recreated the photo from that date.

“Celebrating five years of tater tots this week!” she wrote on Instagram, “#thetots #anniversary.”

 

Reba and Rex are engaged! They confirmed the happy news to TopMob News at the 2025 Emmys. According to sources, the couple got engaged a few months prior and are thrilled.

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2025-11-03 18:47