f.SWEET-TIME: Reba McEntire and Rex Linn are officially engaged — a joyful new chapter in their five-year love story filled with friendship, laughter, and the kind of chemistry that never fades.f
Reba McEntire Engaged to Rex Linn After 5 Years of Dating
Country music legend Reba McEntire is officially engaged to longtime partner Rex Linn, marking a joyful new chapter in their five-year love story that began with friendship, laughter, and undeniable chemistry.
The couple confirmed their engagement at the 2025 Emmy Awards, where the 69-year-old country icon — radiant in a shimmering red gown — proudly referred to Rex as her fiancé on the red carpet. The news delighted fans around the world, celebrating one of country music’s most beloved stars finding happiness once again.
McEntire, who stars alongside Linn in the upcoming NBC comedy Happy’s Place, has often described their relationship as “easy, natural, and full of joy.” The pair first met decades ago while filming the 1991 TV movie The Gambler Returns: The Luck of the Draw, but their romance didn’t blossom until they reconnected in 2020.
“We’ve been through a lot of life separately,” Reba shared in a recent interview, “and when we found each other again, it just felt right. He makes me laugh every day. He’s my best friend.”
Linn, a veteran actor known for roles in CSI: Miami and Young Sheldon, has long praised Reba’s warmth and humor. He once said, “She’s one of the most genuine, loving people I’ve ever known. Being with her feels like coming home.”
The couple affectionately refer to each other as ‘Tater Tot’ and ‘Sugar Tot,’ nicknames that fans have come to adore — a testament to the playful, down-to-earth bond they share.
Their relationship flourished even during the pandemic, when they spent much of their time talking over the phone and cooking for each other at home in Tennessee. “We had a lot of quiet evenings, just laughing, talking, and eating — and that’s when I knew he was the one,” Reba said with a smile.
This will be Reba’s third marriage and Rex’s first. She was previously married to Charlie Battles (1976–1987) and Narvel Blackstock (1989–2015). Following her divorce, she spoke openly about not knowing if she’d ever find love again — but said that Rex “brought the light back into my life.”
At the Emmys, Reba glowed with pride as she spoke about her fiancé. “He’s my partner in every sense — in life, in laughter, and sometimes even on screen. I’m the luckiest woman alive.”
Fans, friends, and fellow country stars have flooded social media with congratulations. Dolly Parton wrote, “So happy for you, Reba! You deserve all the love in the world.” Meanwhile, Carrie Underwood shared, “Two of the sweetest souls — congratulations!”
As they plan their wedding, the couple is said to be keeping things simple and true to their roots — “something private, filled with music, family, and love.”
After decades of entertaining the world with her voice and heart, Reba McEntire has found her own happily-ever-after. And for fans who’ve followed her journey through triumphs and heartbreaks alike, this engagement feels like a storybook ending — one written in laughter, faith, and second chances.
