Before achieving fame as a country star, the woman in the photos was born in southern Oklahoma and raised in the small town of Chockie, coming from a long line of ranchers and rodeo enthusiasts. As the middle child among four siblings, she often felt the need to compete for attention, particularly from her father. Unfortunately, the country artist shared that her dad never expressed his love for any of his children.
Reflecting on their father’s character, the star’s older sister noted that he took pride in being recognized as a champion cowboy. According to her:
“You never had to guess what he was thinking—he’d let you know right away. By our standards, he was often seen as cruel.”
This tough dad would even challenge his daughter, who rose to stardom, about why she pursued activities he believed she wasn’t skilled at, such as basketball and barrel racing.
According to the music star, while she won championships and accolades in those activities, she never excelled at them as much as she did in singing. She discovered her musical talent at the age of five and quickly attracted a lot of attention for it.
The woman in question is none other than the legendary country music star Reba McEntire. At 68, McEntire not only boasts an impressive musical career but was also married to TV producer Narvel Blackstock. The couple was married for 26 years and had a son, Shelby Blackstock, who has become a race car driver and is McEntire’s only child. After more than two decades together, McEntire’s ex-husband unexpectedly filed for divorce, leaving the “I’m a Survivor” singer completely blindsided.
To make matters worse, McEntire discovered that Narvel had begun a romantic relationship with one of her close friends. Another friend of McEntire shared:
“Narvel was her protector, her business partner, and her manager, so this was incredibly tough for her…”
Despite the heartbreak caused by Narvel’s actions, McEntire managed to pick herself up and move forward. She expressed that she was eager to see what the future held for her.
What lay ahead for McEntire was the opportunity to find love again with a new partner, Rex Linn. Prior to meeting Linn, McEntire admitted she wasn’t looking to date after her divorce. However, once he entered her life, she felt a wave of happiness. McEntire revealed she had known Linn since 1991, when they worked together on “The Gambler Returns: The Luck of the Draw.” After reconnecting in 2020, Linn asked her out for dinner, and their relationship has flourished ever since.
In a past interview, McEntire shared sweet details about her romance with Linn, including how she makes him coffee and he gives her foot and shoulder rubs. Speaking about him, McEntire couldn’t help but gush:
“He’s the love of my life, and we’re practically inseparable.”
Regarding what she cherishes about their relationship, McEntire noted that it’s the small things that truly matter to her. She also highlighted the significance of being attentive and always listening to one’s partner.
