Because Happy’s Place films just steps away from The Voice studio, it’s no surprise that Reba McEntire’s fiancé and co-star, Rex Linn, has become a familiar presence on set. During the first episode of the Battle Rounds in The Voice Season 28, sharp-eyed viewers may have even spotted Linn casually walking behind McEntire as she chatted with the camera between performances.
“Having a blast today, first day of the Battles,” McEntire said following a duet by artists Revel Day and Dustin Dale Gaspard. Moments later, Linn strolled through the background wearing a show lanyard, looking completely at home — clear evidence that he’s no stranger to the studio atmosphere.
McEntire and Linn’s relationship has been years in the making. The two first met in 1991 on the set of a Western drama, but at the time, there was no spark. It wasn’t until nearly three decades later, in January 2020, that fate brought them back together on the set of Young Sheldon — and this time, the connection was undeniable.
“I don’t know what it was; timing is everything,” McEntire told E! News. “I’ve been married twice, and for some reason, Rex Linn was just like a magnet. I had to get in there and see him.”
That timing proved both challenging and unexpectedly meaningful. Shortly after reconnecting, the pandemic forced the couple apart physically for months. Rather than weaken their bond, the distance deepened it.
“Because of the pandemic, we didn’t get to see each other from January to June 16, 2020,” McEntire explained. “But we created an intimacy by texting and talking on the phone that we wouldn’t have had if we’d been together the whole time. It was special — a great way to really learn about each other without ever touching.”
When they finally reunited that June, the foundation had already been laid. “We’ve been pretty much inseparable ever since,” she said.
As for marriage, McEntire has been open and thoughtful about where she stands. Having been married twice before, she’s cautious about placing too much importance on formal labels.
“I don’t have much faith in being bound by a piece of paper or a ring,” she told E! News. “I’m truly committed to Rex. He’s never been married, so if that’s something he feels strongly about, I’m OK with that.”
Whether walking across The Voice set or quietly building a life together off-camera, McEntire and Linn’s relationship continues to reflect the same steady, grounded connection — rooted in timing, trust, and a partnership that feels right exactly as it is.
