The 70-year-old country music legend graced the red carpet alongside her longtime companion, drawing attention for more than just their matching outfits.
Reba McEntire attended the 60th Academy of Country Music Awards on May 8, 2025, but she wasn’t alone. Her longtime partner, actor Rex Linn, joined her on the happy occasion.
The event was held at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas. The couple’s coordinated red carpet appearance sparked a flood of reactions across social media.
The couple arrived hand-in-hand, both dressed in all-black ensembles with formal touches. McEntire wore a black tailored suit adorned with beaded patterns.
She paired it with a black blouse and a matching belt featuring silver accents. Her signature red hair was styled in soft waves, and she accessorized with a silver cross necklace and rings.
Meanwhile, Linn complemented her look with a black blazer, black shirt, and blue satin tie. He also wore dark denim jeans, blending casual and formal elements.
Photos of the couple quickly made rounds on social media, where fans and followers shared their thoughts on McEntire’s appearance and the couple’s dynamic.
On Instagram, one person commented, “Queen is looking great for 70!!” Another added, “loving the hair and loving the outfit beautiful lady [sic].” A third fan wrote, “Obsessed with the outfit, hair, AND the jewels [sic].”
The reactions on Facebook echoed the excitement and curiosity seen on Instagram. One commenter noted, “Reba hasn’t had hair that long in a long time! Beautiful, ‘Red [sic]!'”
Another wrote, “I’m so glad she found true happiness again. I love her so much and they are great together.” A third person shared, “The best dressed couple and she has the best music,” while someone else remarked, “He looks a little scared.”
One netizen pointed out an interesting detail about the couple’s appearance at the event, “What’s going on with their hands???”
While speaking ahead of her hosting duties at the 2025 Academy of Country Music Awards, McEntire explained the reasons their relationship has worked so well.
“Well, Rex and I get along in every aspect,” she said. “He’s a better cook than I am, so I like that, for sure. We love Longhorns, we love the cowboy way of life, cowgirl way of life, and we both got into the entertainment industry.”
She also spoke about their shared passion for acting and entertainment, saying, “He’s an actor. I’m a singer. I love to act. Now we act together. So it’s just the perfect union, absolutely. And we get along great. We do argue now. We argue a lot, but we have fun doing that too.”
According to McEntire, their journey began decades ago as friends in 1991. But it wasn’t until 2020 that their relationship turned romantic, marking a new chapter in their lives. She revealed they became closer after reconnecting following the death of her mother.
“He was in Los Angeles, and I was in Oklahoma because my Mama had just died,” McEntire shared. “We didn’t get to see each other from March to June, but we’d talk over Zoom and FaceTime four to five times each day. We created a bond and an intimacy that was getting to know each other without being physical.”
This emotional connection grew over time, with McEntire previously telling E! News, “We didn’t get to see each other from January [2020] till June 16, but we created an intimacy by texting and talking over the telephone that we wouldn’t have gotten if we’d have been together all of that time. It was very special. It was a great way to find out about each other without ever touching.”
She added, “We’ve been pretty much inseparable ever since June 16 of 2020.
Reflecting on her past, McEntire admitted that she “really wasn’t interested in finding love again” after divorcing music manager Narvel Blackstock in 2015. Their marriage lasted 26 years. But her outlook changed after reconnecting with Linn. “He’s the love of my life,” she said. “We’re pretty much inseparable.”
She also spoke about how her relationship with Linn has influenced her personally and professionally. “I didn’t expect it,” she told US Weekly in October 2024. “But everything just gelled, the success of us getting to work together, my touring and everything else fell into place. Timing is everything and everything happens for a reason.”
McEntire shared that she has found a “newfound strength” since being with Linn. “Once you’re confident in your love life, your at-home life, then you can go out and conquer the world,” she said.
Known for her long-standing career in music, McEntire’s discography includes 32 studio albums, 26 compilation albums, and two live albums. She has earned 16 ACM Awards, 14 American Music Awards, three Grammy Awards, and more.
As she continues to embrace new ventures, McEntire remains grounded in her journey. “When I started in the music business, I didn’t make big leaps and bounds,” she told US Weekly. “I didn’t have one thing that catapulted me into success. My growth was little bitty steps every year, but steady.”
This year, McEntire returned as the host of the 2025 ACM Awards. The show aired on Thursday on Amazon Prime from Frisco, Texas.
She was joined by several high-profile presenters, including Blake Shelton, Carly Pearce, Clint Black, Gretchen Wilson, Lee Ann Womack, Lionel Richie, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, and Wynonna Judd.
