Reba McEntire and Rex Linn: A Love Story Unfolds at the Emmys
REBA McENTIRE IS OFFICIALLY OFF THE MARKET!
The country music queen, 70, has confirmed she's engaged to actor Rex Linn, 68, in a low-key but oh-so-delightful way at the 2025 Emmy Awards in Los Angeles. The E! News reporter's slip-up turned out to be the perfect icebreaker for the couple, who have been keeping their romance under wraps – until now!
Reba and her beau have been dating since 2020, but they first met on the set of The Gambler Returns: The Luck of the Draw in the 1990s. Their initial friendship didn't quite blossom into anything romantic back then, but fate had other plans. Fast forward to 2020, when Reba's life was turned upside down by a serious health scare. That's when Rex stepped in with an act of kindness that would change everything.
In an interview on Today in October 2021, the country superstar revealed how Rex reached out to her during that tough time. "Mama got sick, and he called me," she shared. It wasn't until they crossed paths again while guest starring on Young Sheldon that their romance began to heat up. As Reba recalled, "Starting in March of 2020, we just kept talking and visiting, and finally got together in June... And we've been pretty much inseparable ever since."
Rex has been showering Reba with love and admiration for years, and it's clear their connection goes far beyond a romantic relationship. In an interview earlier this year, he gushed to Fox News about how they "get along in every aspect" and that she's the "best cook" – okay, maybe not, but we get the point!
Reba has been equally effusive about her beau, praising their shared love of Longhorns, cowboy culture, and the entertainment industry. As she told WBIR Channel 10, "We love to act together." Talk about a power couple! Meanwhile, Rex described them as "best friends" who want to "cross the finish line with each other in a relationship."
But Reba's love life hasn't been the only thing making headlines recently. Just last month, she paid tribute to her former stepson Brandon Blackstock, who passed away from melanoma cancer at 48 on August 7. In an Instagram comment, she wrote: "Very well said Shelby. Yes we will miss him so much." The singer had previously spoken about how much she considered Brandon as her own son, saying in an interview with Entertainment Tonight in 2021: "Brandon's been my son forever it seems... Although he's my stepson, I still love him like he's my total – my blood..."
The Blackstock family has been through a lot in recent years, but Reba's presence has always been a constant source of comfort and support. As an insider told Us Weekly: "Reba has spent more time with the Blackstock crew in the past year than in years prior." And it looks like their bond only grew stronger in the end.
The happy news about Reba's engagement to Rex comes as a sweet surprise, especially after she broke her silence on Brandon's passing. But we can't help but wonder – will they have a country-chic wedding? Only time (and Reba's fabulous planner) will tell!
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