A Romantic Plan That Almost Ended in a Wildlife Documentary
Imagine this: you’re on a dreamy trip across Africa with the woman you love. The sunsets look like paintings, the animals roam free, and you’ve got a sparkling ring hidden in your pocket. That’s exactly where Rex Linn thought he would pop the question to Reba McEntire. But life – and nature – had other ideas.
Rex recently opened up about the whole story while chatting with Drew Barrymore alongside Reba. He brought the ring all the way to Africa, scouting for that perfect quiet spot. One evening he spotted what looked like a peaceful little pond surrounded by soft grass. Sounded ideal, right? He even mentioned it to their guide, a local expert everyone called Mumps.
What did the guide say? “Brother, that’s where the male leopards walk at night looking for dinner. Pick another place.”
Yeah. Proposal canceled – at least in that meadow.
Why Africa Felt So Special to Them
The couple visited Africa together in 2024, long before any engagement news broke. For Reba and Rex, the trip wasn’t just another vacation. It was filled with moments that made their bond even stronger – watching elephants at watering holes, laughing over campfires, feeling tiny next to ancient baobab trees. Rex kept waiting for the right second to get down on one knee. Every sunrise felt like it could be “the one.” But between game drives and dusty roads, the moment never quite lined up – and then came the leopard warning. Sometimes the universe says wait.
Christmas Eve Magic Back Home
Fast-forward a few months. It’s Christmas Eve 2024. No leopards, no dusty trails – just the warmth of home and holiday lights. That’s when Rex finally asked Reba to marry him. She said yes, of course. They kept the news quiet for months, only sharing it publicly in September 2025 while walking the Emmys red carpet together. Simple, sweet, and completely them.
How Did These Two Even Find Each Other?
Want the short version? They go way back – all the way to 1991 on the set of a Kenny Rogers TV movie called The Gambler Returns: The Luck of the Draw. Reba starred as the lead, and Rex rode in on horseback yelling “Yeehaw!” for about five seconds. They stayed friendly over the years, nothing more, because Reba was married at the time.
Life moved on. Reba divorced Narvel Blackstock in 2015 after 26 years together. Then in early 2020 she showed up on the set of Young Sheldon, where Rex had a recurring role. He texted: “You in town? Let’s grab dinner.” One meal turned into tater tots at a wine bar, and the nicknames were born – she’s Tater Tot, he’s Sugar Tot. They’ve been “the Tots” ever since.
Love in the Time of Lockdown
Here’s the part that makes everyone smile. Their romance really started right when the world shut down for COVID. From January to June 2020 they couldn’t see each other in person. So what did they do? Talked. Texted. Shared stories for hours on the phone. Reba says that stretch built something deeper than most couples get in years of dating. By the time they finally met up again on June 16, 2020, they already knew they were in it for good.
Little Moments That Stuck
Rex helped Reba through the pain of losing her mom to cancer in March 2020. Years earlier, when Rex lost his own mother, Reba had been the one to call and lift his spirits. Funny how kindness comes back around.
From Costars to Fiancés – Again and Again
These two keep finding ways to work together. First Big Sky in 2022, playing a married couple (talk about practice). Then the Lifetime movie The Hammer. Now they’re back at it on the NBC sitcom Happy’s Place, where Reba runs a tavern she inherits and Rex plays the bartender who becomes her love interest. Their real-life chemistry spills right onto the screen.
Costar Melissa Peterman says she often catches them sitting together in a booth on set during breaks, looking like they’re on an actual date. “It’s disgustingly cute,” she laughs.
What Kind of Wedding Are They Planning?
Don’t expect anything stuffy. Reba told friends it’s going to be laid-back – good food, close friends, comfy clothes. “Nontraditional” is the word they both use. Rex has never been married before, and Reba says if walking down the aisle matters to him, she’s all in. For now they’re just soaking up being engaged. No date set, no rush. They show up to the Happy’s Place set every day holding hands and grinning – that’s celebration enough.
A Love Story Three Decades in the Making
From a quick “yeehaw” on a movie set in 1991 to dodging leopards in Africa to Christmas Eve joy – Reba McEntire and Rex Linn prove some of the best things take time. They’ve known each other for over thirty years, became friends first, leaned on each other through hard times, and finally found romance when the moment was right.
Sometimes the perfect proposal isn’t under an African sunset with wild animals nearby. Sometimes it’s right at home, surrounded by Christmas lights and the person who already feels like family.
