Reba McEntire almost stopped making music after the tragic plane crash in 1991, which killed eight members of her band and crew. The 67-year-old still vividly recalls her deep grief over the accident, which came perilously close to signaling the end of her own career.
“I didn’t know if I was going to be able to continue,” McEntire admits to People. “But it showed me how precious life is, and by the grace of God and my faith, I realized that they went on to a better place.”
McEntire remained resolute, both in her deep Christian beliefs, and her commitment to her career, although she was forever changed by the tragedy.
“From that, I learned that you need to take it one day at a time and be very grateful for the things that you have,” McEntire reflects. “Tell folks in your life how much you love and appreciate them.”
Little did McEntire know that, while reeling in her grief and sadness, she would ultimately meet the person who she now refers to as the “love of my life.” McEntire, who released her For My Broken Heart album later that year, also starred in Kenny Rogers‘ The Gambler movie, alongside actor Rex Linn, whom she began dating 19 years later, in early 2020.
“I shot an appearance on the TV show Young Sheldon, which he is on,” McEntire recalls. “He said, ‘Let’s have dinner when you get through.’ And I said, ‘OK!’ He made me laugh my butt off on our first date, which we didn’t even know was a date.”
Their blossoming romance could have been derailed by the pandemic, when they were forced to spend time apart. Instead, it drew them closer.
“He was in Los Angeles, and I was in Oklahoma because Mama had just died,” McEntire explains. “We didn’t get to see each other from March to June, but we’d talk over Zoom and FaceTime four to five times each day. We created a bond and an intimacy that was getting to know each other without being physical. We fell in love after being friends.”
That bond now continues while they live in the same location, continuing their “coffee camp” that began virtually when they were apart.
“I make Rex coffee every morning,” McEntire reveals. “He’ll offer to make it, and I’ll say, ‘Nope. I want to do that for you.’ I know I could easily say, ‘Yeah, you go get it. I’m tired.’ Nope. I always do the coffee camp.”
McEntire and Linn also star as a married couple in ABC’s Big Sky, a drama that the Country Music Hall of Fame member is thrilled to be a part of.
“To play husband and wife, it’s natural for us,” McEntire says. “Rex and I rehearse all the time to make sure that when we step on that set, we’re not wasting anybody’s time. We’re professionals. We have our stuff together, we show up on time, we’re ready. We’re not holding up anybody because time is money on the TV set.”
McEntire is currently on her Reba: Live in Concert Arena Tour with Terri Clark serving as her opening act. The tour will continue into 2023 with Clark and The Isaacs joining her on the road. Find music and tour dates at Reba.com.
Read ‘Reba McEntire: 11 Things to Know About the Country Music Legend’ here.