Reba McEntire and Rex Linn started dating in early 2020, just as the pandemic was shutting the world down. Their physical distance did little to diminish their early excitement at their new relationship, which is still growing stronger. The success of their relationship, according to McEntire, has spilled over into every other area of her life as well.

The 69-year-old has a new song out, “I Can’t,” is a coach for her third season on The Voice, and will appear in the new comedy, Happy’s Place on NBC, working opposite Linn. To McEntire, her career highs are all connected to her relationship with Linn.

“I think it’s a newfound strength. Once you’re confident in your love life, your at-home life, then you can go out and conquer the world,” McEntire reflects to Us Weekly.

Working with Linn is easy for McEntire, who enjoys when they can spend all of their time together. It’s a partnership that the Country Music Hall of Fame member says works well, whether they are in front of the camera or their TV at home.

“Rex and I are best friends,” McEntire boasts. “We have the same likes and dislikes. We’re foodies. We love to cook. We each wanted to be a cowboy and a cowgirl. Then we got into the entertainment business instead. Our dynamic works on and off-screen.”

 

McEntire admits that all of her recent successes may not have happened, if she hadn’t fallen for Linn, who she maintains makes her life better, in every way.

“I didn’t expect it,” McEntire admits. “But everything just gelled, the success of us getting to work together, my touring and everything else fell into place. Timing is everything and everything happens for a reason.”

Linn might have enhanced McEntire’s life, but the Oklahoma native says that she is also good for Linn as well.

“I think we have made each other better,” McEntire says. “Rex brings out the little girl in me and I have fun. I’m dorky, I’m goofy. He is too. We love to laugh, and we love each other. We both love watching television. We’re always on the lookout for a new series or movie to watch. He says that it’s his homework, watching other actors and learning from them. I do it for pure enjoyment. Right now we’re streaming The Penguin.”

 

The Oklahoma native was married twice before, including to her former manager, Narvel Blackstock, whom she divorced in 2015, after 26 years of marriage. Whether or not she and Linn ever tie the knot is inconsequential to her, who vows to stay with Linn, with or without a ring

“It really makes no difference to me,” McEntire maintains. “I’m fine with the way we are. If Rex ever wants to get married, then we’ll talk about it, but I’m fine. I love our relationship 100 percent … I have his back, and he has mine. That’s very important. I feel very safe with Rex.”

Few artists, especially ones who have been part of country music for almost 50 years, still enjoy the new opportunities that McEntire keeps taking, and likely no one is as grateful as McEntire for how her life has turned out.

‘I’ve got two great jobs,” McEntire says. “I have a love of my life, Rex Linn. We’ve been together for almost five years. And my health is good, his health is good. My family is healthy. What more could I ask for?”

Find “I Can’t,” and all of McEntire’s music and upcoming shows at Reba.com.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of NBC