Reba frames the engagement as a natural evolution of a deep, platonic foundation that survived distance and loss, emphasizing comfort and laughter over traditional romance.
Insiders note that while Reba previously dismissed marriage as just 'a piece of paper,' her willingness to do it for Rex's sake signals a serious shift in her stance on the third time's charm.
Reba confirmed the status by flashing a sparkly ring at the 2025 Emmys; the couple first met in 1991 and reunited for a date in January 2020 that led to the 'Tater Tot' nickname.
Reba McEntire is trading her skepticism of marriage for a non-traditional wedding with Rex Linn, proving that sometimes the best love stories start with a text and a plate of tater tots.
If you thought Reba McEntire was done with the altar after two high-profile divorces, you weren’t paying attention to the receipts. The country legend has officially confirmed her engagement to actor Rex Linn, a union that has been brewing in plain sight for years. While Reba previously told E! News in April 2024 that she had "no faith in being bound by a piece of paper" after her splits from Charlie Battles and Narvel Blackstock, she made it clear then that she was "truly committed" to Rex. The shift from committed girlfriend to fiancée was solidified when she flashed a sparkly new accessory on her left hand at the 2025 Emmys, where correspondent Zuri Hall casually referred to Rex as her fiancé. Reba didn’t correct her, instead pivoting to talk about how much fun they’re having on their NBC sitcom, Happy’s Place. The romance didn’t start with fireworks, but with a text message. Although the two first met on the set of the 1991 TV movie The Gambler Returns: The Luck of the Draw, they remained just friends for nearly three decades. It wasn’t until January 2020, shortly after Reba’s divorce from Narvel Blackstock was finalized, that Rex texted her asking to meet up for dinner while she was in Los Angeles for a guest spot on Young Sheldon. That meal at a wine bar, where Reba ordered tater tots, led to Rex dubbing her "Tater Tot" and himself "Sugar Tot." The pandemic then forced them apart, but as Reba noted, the lockdown from January to June 2020 actually "created an intimacy by texting and talking over the telephone" that might not have existed otherwise. They reunited in person on June 16, 2020, and have been inseparable ever since. Now, the couple is preparing for a wedding that breaks all the traditional rules. Reba revealed to E! News that there is no set date yet because their schedules are packed, but she promised it won’t be a stuffy, black-tie affair. "It'll be a lot of fun," she vowed. "It's gonna be a nontraditional wedding because that’s Rex and me. We like comfort, we love friends, we love food." This aligns perfectly with their established traditions, such as their yearly Valentine’s Day trips to Sonic and their Christmas Eve routine of watching movies followed by multiple meals. For Reba, who has navigated the complexities of being a stepmother to four children and a widow of sorts (having lost her mother in 2020), Rex has been a steady, humorous presence. "He makes me laugh," she said, noting that their bond is built on knowing each other's faults and loving them anyway. What’s particularly fascinating about this engagement is Reba’s previous hesitation. Having been married twice, she openly doubted the institution. But her stance softened when considering Rex, who has never been married before. "So if that's something he feels totally strong about, that's fine with me," she explained. This willingness to marry again, despite her skepticism, suggests a level of commitment and comfort that is rare in Hollywood. They continue to blend business and pleasure, co-starring in Happy’s Place and having previously played a married couple in Big Sky. Melissa Peterman, a co-star on Reba and Happy’s Place, noted how "adorably cute" the couple looks even during breaks, sitting together in booth seats like they’re on a date. It seems the third time really is the charm for Reba, provided it comes with tater tots and no formal dress code.
