Reba McEntire Drops Bombshell at Grammys 2026: Wedding to Rex Linn Postponed Due to Busy Careers
The 68th Grammy Awards on February 1, 2026, delivered more than just music industry triumphs and surprise wins. Country legend Reba McEntire, radiant in a shimmering emerald gown while hosting the star-studded event at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, shared a deeply personal update that caught everyone off guard. In an exclusive red-carpet conversation with E! News correspondent Zuri Hall, the 70-year-old superstar revealed that her wedding to longtime fiancé Rex Linn has officially been pushed back—again—because of their packed professional schedules.
Reba spoke with characteristic warmth and honesty, explaining the decision without a trace of regret. “We’re still waiting on a third season pickup from ‘Happy’s Place,’” she told Hall, referring to the hit NBC sitcom where she and Rex play romantic leads. “And Rex just got picked up on ‘Stick’ with Owen Wilson, so that pushed the wedding back.” The words hung in the air amid the flash of cameras and the buzz of arriving celebrities, turning what could have been a routine interview into one of the night’s most talked-about moments.
This isn’t the first time the couple has delayed their nuptials. Since announcing their engagement in September 2025 during Emmy weekend, Reba and Rex have maintained a refreshingly relaxed attitude toward setting a firm date. Rex, 69, echoed the sentiment in a previous interview, saying the couple prefers to savor their engagement rather than rush into planning. “What we’re doing right now, honestly, is enjoying our engagement time,” he explained. “We haven’t set a date, we’re just going to enjoy our engagement and enjoy going to ‘Happy’s Place’ every day.”
Their on-screen partnership in “Happy’s Place” has clearly strengthened their real-life connection. The show, which debuted in fall 2024, follows Reba as Bobbie, a woman who inherits her late father’s bar and restaurant, and Rex as Emmett, the gruff but lovable cook who becomes her love interest. Viewers have raved about the effortless chemistry between the two, which insiders attribute to the fact that they genuinely adore working—and living—together. “We love being around one another,” Rex has said. “We like going to work, we like coming home from work. We can’t wait to go back the next day.” That comfort translates directly to the screen, making every flirtatious glance and witty exchange feel authentic.
The postponement stems directly from career momentum that neither wants to slow down. “Happy’s Place” concluded its second season in late 2025 with strong ratings and growing buzz on Peacock. A third-season renewal remains under consideration at NBC, and both stars are hopeful. At the same time, Rex has landed a major new role in “Stick,” an upcoming comedy series co-starring Owen Wilson. Production is slated to begin in Atlanta in March 2026, creating a scheduling conflict that makes a wedding ceremony nearly impossible in the near term.
Reba framed the delay as a positive choice rather than a disappointment. “He says, ‘Work comes first,’” she shared with a soft laugh, clearly proud of Rex’s dedication. For two people who built their legacies through relentless hard work, prioritizing career opportunities at this stage feels entirely in character. Reba has spent decades proving she can juggle multiple roles—singer, actress, producer, businesswoman—while Rex has carved out a respected career in television and film, known for memorable turns in “CSI: Miami,” “Better Call Saul,” and countless guest spots.
Their love story itself reads like a slow-burning country ballad. The two first met back in 1991 on the set of the TV movie “The Gambler Returns: The Luck of the Draw,” but romance didn’t spark until decades later. They reconnected in 2017 during Rex’s guest appearance on “Young Sheldon,” though it was the isolation of the 2020 pandemic that truly brought them together. Both were navigating the aftermath of divorce—Reba from her 26-year marriage to Narvel Blackstock, and Rex from his previous relationship. Long phone conversations turned into something deeper, and by October 2020, Reba publicly referred to Rex as her “Sugar Tot” on her podcast “Living & Learning with Reba McEntire.”
Since then, they’ve become one of Hollywood’s most endearing couples, often sharing glimpses of their life on social media: cooking together, traveling, attending events arm in arm. Reba’s fans especially adore how grounded and supportive Rex appears, a steady presence beside one of country music’s most iconic voices.
The engagement itself was announced with classic Reba flair. During the 2025 Emmys red carpet, she flashed a beautiful diamond ring and confirmed the news exclusively to E! News. She later described a romantic proposal at their Oklahoma ranch—candlelight, Rex’s homemade lasagna, and a heartfelt question that left her teary-eyed. Fans flooded social media with congratulations, and hashtags like #RebaAndRexForever trended for days.
Reba has always hinted that their wedding will reflect their personalities: laid-back, nontraditional, focused on comfort, friends, and good food. “It’s gonna be a nontraditional wedding because that’s Rex and me,” she said. “We like comfort, we love friends, we love food.” Many imagine a casual backyard celebration at their Nashville property—think barbecue stations, live acoustic sets from musician friends, cowboy boots instead of heels, and perhaps even a duet performance from the couple themselves.
The delay has sparked a wave of supportive messages from fans. On platforms like Instagram and X, comments poured in after the Grammys interview: “Take all the time you need—y’all deserve every happiness,” “Prioritizing careers at this stage is so iconic,” and “The wedding will be worth the wait!” Supporters point out that at ages 70 and 69, Reba and Rex have earned the right to move at their own pace, savoring each chapter without pressure.
Meanwhile, the entertainment world keeps turning. “Happy’s Place” continues to perform strongly in streaming metrics, and speculation about a potential third season—or even crossovers with other NBC sitcom universes—keeps growing. “Stick,” with its high-profile cast and comedic premise, is already generating early buzz as a potential hit. For Reba and Rex, saying “I do” will simply have to wait until the cameras stop rolling long enough for them to catch their breath.
Reba closed her Grammys interview on an optimistic note. “We’re happy where we are,” she said. “The wedding will happen when it’s right.” In an industry where relationships often burn bright and fast, their story stands out as one of patience, mutual respect, and deep companionship. Whether the ceremony happens in a quiet chapel, on a ranch under the stars, or at a lively honky-tonk, one thing is certain: when Reba McEntire and Rex Linn finally tie the knot, it will be a celebration worth every delay.
For now, fans can take comfort knowing the couple is thriving—on set, at home, and in each other’s company. The road to “I do” may be longer than expected, but for two people who’ve already found their forever in the everyday moments, timing is just another verse in their love song.
