Beloved country icon Reba McEntire isn’t one to shy away from honesty. In a recent interview, she opened up about one of the toughest chapters of her life: her 2015 split from longtime husband and manager Narvel Blackstock, who is also the father of her late stepson, Brandon.
Opening up in a fresh Esquireinterview on September 16, 2025, the Queen of Country admitted she was straight-up “scared to death” after the divorce, feeling “deserted, abandoned, and left” without her support system. “Everybody took care of everything. All I had to do was get up and sing,” she shared, highlighting how the breakup forced her to handle everyday realities like knowing the price of a gallon of milk.
The Heartache Behind the Hits
Reba and Narvel Blackstock were married in 1989. They welcomed son Shelby in 1990 and raised Blackstock’s three kids from his previous marriage, including Brandon, who tragically died on August 7, 2025, after battling cancer.
Reba paid a touching tribute: “Last week, my stepson/oldest son Brandon Blackstock went home to be with God. His struggle is over, and he is in eternal peace in God’s presence. There is no one else like him, and I’m thankful for the time we had together. His legacy and laughter will be carried on through his family. Rest in peace, cowboy. Happy trails to you til we meet again.”
But when Narvel initiated the divorce after 26 years, it rocked her world. Fortunately, she had plenty of support around her, which helped her remember she was strong and encouraged her to get back on her feet again.
Fast-forward to today, and Reba’s thriving with new love, actor Rex Linn, whom she met on the set of “The Gambler Returns: The Luck of the Draw in 1991.” They remained friends, and their romance began in 2020. They publicly confirmed the news of their engagement at the 2025 Primetime Emmy Awards on September 14.
They’ve worked together on projects like “The Hammer,” “Big Sky,” and her hit sitcom “Happy’s Place.” Blackstock, meanwhile, remarried Laura Stroud in 2024.
Reba’s resilience shines through her legendary career. She has sold over 75 million records worldwide and charted over 100 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, with 25 of them reaching number one. She broke out with her 1984 album My Kind of Country. Then, in 1986, she released the album and song “Whoever’s in New England,” earning her first Grammy in 1987 for Best Female Country Vocal Performance.
Reba’s Legendary Career Keeps On Going
Reba has conquered stages beyond music, too. She starred in the sitcom Reba (2001–2007), which earned a Golden Globe nomination, and took on Broadway as Annie Oakley in “Annie Get Your Gun” (2001).
Her accolades also stack up: inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2011, earned the distinction of a Kennedy Center Honor in 2018, and holds the record for the most American Music Awards for Favorite Country Female Artist (12).
Recently, she coached on The Voice (seasons 24–26), with her team winning season 25 in 2024, and belted the national anthem at Super Bowl LVIII in 2024. Albums like “For My Broken Heart” (1991), her best-seller at over four million copies, show her ability to channel personal pain into powerful art.
Reba’s story reminds us that even when life throws us a curve, the show must go on. What’s next for this country icon? We’re all ears!
