Country music icon Reba McEntire often sings about love in her chart-topping songs. The Grammy winner is a hopeless romantic, which was evident when she first announced her relationship with actor Rex Linn. Has their relationship withstood the test of time?

When Did Reba McEntire and Rex Linn Start Dating?

Reba first revealed her romance with the Hollywood star in October 2020, telling fans she was dating a “sweetheart of a guy” during an episode of her “Living & Learning” podcast. “Yeah, I am [dating] Rex Linn … and we’ve been talking during the pandemic,” she gushed at the time.

The “Fancy” singer said the two became romantically involved after they had dinner together in New York City in January 2020. When the COVID-19 pandemic spread across the U.S. weeks later, they started talking on the phone, texting and using FaceTime to keep in touch.

“He’s very into my music, I’m very into his career — it’s just great getting to talk to somebody who I find very interesting, very funny and very smart, and is interested in me too,” continued Reba, who was previously wed to ex-husbands Narvel Blackstock and Charlie Battles. “[Rex is] very special.”

After sharing the news of their romance, Rex and Reba showcased their love on social media a handful of times. The Tremors actress and the Breakdown actor made their public debut as a couple at the CMAs in November 2020.

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Are Reba McEntire and Rex Linn Still Together?

Though they’ve kept their relationship pretty low-key, Reba and Rex are still happily together.

“They’re very similar … perfect for each other really,” a source told Closer in July 2021. “They enjoy being laid back, staying at home, drinking a few beers, watching football … or they can travel together, go to museums, catch a show or listen to music.”

Reba McEntire wears green sequined gown and Rex Linn wears black suit
Mike Coppola/Getty Images

When it comes to their bond, Reba and Rex have a very natural connection. “Their friendship and romance is very easy going,” the insider explained. “It never felt forced, which is why Reba fell for Rex.”

Whether they’re hanging out at Reba’s Beverly Hills or Nashville estates, or traveling the country for her legendary career, the “Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia” artist and Rex always “have a blast together,” the source added. “They’re always laughing, which is probably the secret to their happiness.”

Aside from keeping each other entertained with their silly antics, Reba and Rex “have a playful rivalry,” the insider continued. “Reba is very much an Oklahoma girl and he’s a true Texan … [but they] completely get each other.”

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In July 2024, sources told Closer that Rex and Reba’s relationship overcame some hurdles over the years as Reba has only gotten busier.

“Paranoia has set in, and she’s realizing she’s got to step it up if she doesn’t want to lose him,” an insider said. “She’s desperate to keep him happy and from straying.”

“Reba’s got a full schedule ahead with The Voice and other projects, but she’s setting time aside for Rex and planning more holidays and date nights and fun things with the family,” the source added. “It can’t all be about work.”

The songstress has come around to the idea of getting married again and hopes their relationship will last. But she added one more project to her plate when her sitcom Happy Place got the green light to move forward by NBC.

“Reba has been married twice and she really hadn’t had another marriage on her dance card,” the source shared. “But he has been such a blessing in her life, she’s decided she’d love to marry him and would be crushed if their personal lives took a backseat to their professional pursuits. She is an executive producer of Happy Place so she solved the problem by insisting Rex be a part of the cast. Now he’s going to be by her side during the 12-hour days!”

Luckily, she came up with a solution to her problem of not having a lot of free time.

“Reba is figuring out how to strike a balance between a romance and a working relationship,” a source told Closer in May 2024. “She’s still trying to figure out if she’s getting too close is a new thing, but for now, she sees working with Rex as the best situation for them.”