Real-Life Romance
Her Happy Place! Inside Reba McEntire & Rex Linn’s Love Story
The queen of country music, Reba McEntire, and her partner, Rex Linn, want the world to know about their adorable romance. Since going from friends to lovers, these two haven’t been shy about their love for each other.
The couple stars in the brand-new NBC comedy series Happy’s Place, but this is far from the first time they’ve worked together. Entering into their fourth year of being a couple, McEntire and Linn have become one of Hollywood’s most beloved pairings. From how they met to when their love story began, Swooon has all the details you need to know about their romance.
How did Reba and Rex meet?
McEntire and Linn have been open about their mutual adoration for a while now, but they’ve assured everyone that their connection took some time to form. First meeting each other while they were both working on the 1991 miniseries The Gambler Returns: The Luck of the Draw, they entered into friendship territory first.
On Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, the superstar singer stated, “We kept in contact over the years. We both know the same people. So it was just like good friends getting back together and having dinner… then we started texting and talking on the telephone and getting to know each other better during the quarantine.”
When did they start dating?
Although McEntire and Linn have known each other for over three decades, their relationship didn’t venture into romantic territory until after 2020. The loved-up duo reconnected when The Voice coach had a guest appearance on Young Sheldon as June. Linn, who played the recurring character Tom Petersen, the principal of Sheldon Cooper’s school, was happy to welcome his now-girlfriend to the set.
Quickly realizing that they had a different kind of chemistry this time around, the two began their romantic relationship. McEntire has gushed that they share a common interest in tater tots, which has now become Linn’s nickname for McEntire. He even calls her that on social media.
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The year 2020 was a dark year for McEntire as she lost her mother and had to quarantine alongside the rest of the world because of COVID-19. Luckily, Linn was a pillar of support in her time of need. Not being able to see each other again until June of that year, they found different ways to connect.
They were in constant communication even when they were apart. She told E! News, “We created an intimacy by texting and talking over the telephone that we wouldn’t have gotten if we’d have been together all of that time. We’ve been pretty much inseparable ever since June 16 of 2020.”
They’re still going strong four years later, and they love to spend as much time as possible together. They’re working together in the new comedy series Happy’s Place. They also recently starred alongside one another in The Hammer and Big Sky.
Are they married?
No, they are not. McEntire has previously been married twice. First tying the knot at 21 to steer wrestling champion and rancher, Charlie Battles, the two stayed together for a decade. Her first husband was ten years her senior and had two kids from a previous marriage.
She divorced him and headed to Nashville, Tennessee, to further her career. While there, she found love with her manager and former steel guitar player, Narvel Blackstock. In 2015, they decided to separate after being wed for 26 years. They finalized their divorce on October 28, 2015.
Linn has never been married before.
Even though they are not in a legally binding relationship as of now, McEntire told E! News that they are very much in love. She would even consider marrying again if he wanted. “I’m truly committed to Rex. So if that’s something he feels totally strong about, that’s fine with me. He’s never been married before. So if he wants to experience that, I’m OK with that,” she said.
Do Reba and Rex have kids?
McEntire has a kid, but she doesn’t share one with the CSI: Miami alum.
McEntire shares a son, Shelby, with ex-husband Narvel Blackstock. Her 34-year-old son is a race car driver. She is also adamant in saying that she is still close to her stepchildren. Having been a part of their lives since they were little, she remains close to Blackstock’s children: Chassidy, Shawna, and Brandon. Brandon used to be married to her friend and previous Voice coach, Kelly Clarkson.
Linn does not have any kids of his own.
