Last month, we reported that the country music star Reba McEntire had become engaged to the actor Rex Linn, who she’s been dating for five years. Now, McEntire is speaking out to say that she’s “happier” than ever at 70 with her fiancé.
McEntire Is ‘Happier’ Than Ever
“I think I’m happier now than I’ve ever been in my life,” McEntire told People Magazine. “It’s amazing. It’s wonderful being 70 and getting to do what I get to do at the level I want to do it.”
Though McEntire only announced her engagement last month, Linn actually proposed to her in December of last year.
“I’ve never been loved by a man like Rex Linn,” she said with a smile. “Rex is a very tender-hearted man, and I just love him with all my heart. He’s a good guy. Real bashful though.”
Watch McEntire talk more about her engagement in the video below.
McEntire And Linn Working On Sitcom
McEntire and Linn, 68, are currently having a “blast” working together on their NBC sitcom Happy’s Place.
“Wherever we go, that is our Happy’s Place,” McEntire gushed. “Getting to work with Rex, drive to work with Rex and do the show, the rehearsals, drive home, talk about it, rehearse together — that’s what’s really special for me. I’ve not had that before.”
Also starring on Happy’s Place is McEntire’s former Reba co-star Melissa Peterman. In addition, McEntire and Peterman will be reuniting with their fellow Reba actress JoAnna Garcia Swisher on this season of Happy’s Place, which premieres on November 7.
“It’s just like there’s not been a day between the last time I got to work with her,” McEntire said. “And having Melissa Peterman on the show and Rex Linn. We are a tight knit family, an acting team, and we have so much fun together. It’s natural. Anytime I get to step on that set, I feel like home. It’s my happy place.”
McEntire Looks To The Future
As she looks to her future, McEntire is no longer stressing “the little stuff or the big stuff.” Instead, she’s leaning into “hardest lesson I’ve ever tried to learn,” which is “quit living for tomorrow and for yesterday. That’s really hard to do, but it’s so rewarding when it clicks.”
“I used to think being content was a no-no, because if you’re content, you’re not going to strive to continue to do better. That’s not true because you always try to improve your health,” McEntire explained. “As I tell artists on The Voice, and anybody that ever asks me for advice, I’ll say, ‘Enjoy every minute.'”
Though she’s now in her 70s, McEntire doesn’t see herself slowing down anytime soon.
“I don’t know when. It could be in 20 years,” McEntire replied when asked about retirement. “I think I’ll know when it’s the time. Dolly [Parton] and I talked about that an awful lot when she did the Reba show, and I said, ‘Are you going to retire?’ She said, ‘Why would I? What in the world could I do and have as much fun as what I’m doing in this job right now?’ I agree with her a hundred percent. Slow down, maybe, but no plans of retiring.”
“I love this chapter in my life,” she concluded. “I’m very grateful.”
We’re so glad to see that McEntire is in such a good place right now both personally and professionally. If you love McEntire as much as we do, be sure to check out her and Linn’s sitcom Happy’s Place when its new season premieres next month. You won’t be disappointed!