As country legend Reba McEntire mourns the passing of Brandon Blackstock on August 7, 2025, many of her fans are remembering the deep ties within her blended family.
“The Voice” coach was married to Brandon’s father, talent manager Narvel Blackstock, from 1989 to 2015. Even after the couple divorced, she maintained a close relationship with Narvel and Brandon’s then-wife, Kelly Clarkson, who filed for divorce in 2020.
While Reba has spent decades in the spotlight, her family has remained a big part of her story. We share five fast facts about her kids and family below.
1. Reba Has One Biological Son
McEntire has one biological son, Shelby Blackstock, with her ex-husband Narvel Blackstock. Shelby was born on February 23, 1990, shortly after McEntire and Blackstock were wed in 1989.
Reba has a very strong bond with Shelby, telling NBC that he was “one of the biggest blessings of my life.” The duo has a very strong mother-son bond, with Shelby often expressing his love and gratitude for his mother on social media.
2. She Maintains a Close Relationship With Her Three Stepchildren
Reba McEntire was a stepmother to two sons, Coty and Lance, from her first marriage to Charlie Battles.
When she married Blackstock in 1989, she then gained three more stepchildren: Shawna, Chassidy, and Brandon. In a 2010 interview, Reba said, “I don’t consider Brandon, Chassidy, and Shawna stepchildren. I claim them all.”
3. Her Son Is a Former Race Car Driver
Reba’s son, Shelby, is a former race car driver, but now works in the construction business. Shelby competed in the US F2000 National Championship, the Pro Mazda Championship, and the Indy Lights.
He also happened to be the GT World Challenge America Overall Champion in 2020. While he is no longer pursuing his NASCAR dreams, Reba was very supportive of his race car dreams at the time.
4. Kept a Strong Relationship With Kelly Clarkson
While both Reba and Kelly’s marriages to the Blackstock men ended, the pair have maintained a strong friendship. They regularly text and show support for each other, even collaborating on projects like “The Voice.”
In an interview in 2023, McEntire said that she was devoted to Clarkson. She added, “She’s just matured into this wonderful woman that I am just so proud of, and I love her with all my heart.”
5. Reba Is Currently Dating Her ‘Happy’s Place’ Co-Star
Reba is currently in a relationship with her “Happy’s Place” co-star Rex Linn. While the couple first met in 1991 on the set of “The Gambler Returns: The Luck of the Draw,” they didn’t start dating until 2020.
The happy couple is still together and lovingly refer to themselves as “The Tots,” with Reba being “Tater Tot” and Rex being “Sugar Tot.” While they star on “Happy’s Place” together right now, they have acted together before, starring as a couple in the Lifetime movie “The Hammer.”
