Reba McEntire shared some glad information on the 2025 Emmy Awards, revealing she and her companion Rex Linn had been engaged, however she additionally took a second to pay respects to her stepson, Brandon Blackstock, who died on August 7 after a non-public three-year battle with most cancers.
Talking with Leisure Tonight on the purple carpet, the Queen of Nation was requested how she and the household are holding up for the reason that passing of Blackstock. “Properly, we miss him, we miss him each minute,” McEntire stated.
She additionally shared an replace on Blackstock’s youngsters. Blackstock had 4 children: Savannah and Seth, along with his ex-wife Melissa Ashworth, and River Rose and Remy with Kelly Clarkson. Blackstock and Clarkson filed for divorce in 2020, which was finalized in 2022.
“The children are doing effectively, they’re all bonding collectively and hanging out with one another, and taking it someday at a time,” McEntire defined. “We all know God’s bought this.”
McEntire married Blackstock’s father, Narvel Blackstock, in 1989. Following their marriage, she grew to become stepmother to his three youngsters, Brandon, Shawna, and Chassidy. The exes additionally shared a son, Shelby, who was born in 1990. Regardless of their divorce in 2015, McEntire remained closed to her stepchildren.
Blackstock’s household introduced his passing final month, revealing how he had been “bravely” battling most cancers for the previous three years. “He handed away peacefully and was surrounded by household,” the assertion learn. “We thanks in your ideas and prayers and ask everybody to respect the household’s privateness throughout this very troublesome time.”
5 days after the passing, McEntire shared a tribute on social media, writing, “Final week, my stepson/oldest son Brandon Blackstock went residence to be with God. His battle is over and he’s in everlasting peace in God’s presence. There is no such thing as a one else like him, and I’m grateful for the time we had collectively. His legacy and laughter will likely be carried on by way of his household. Relaxation in peace cowboy. Glad trails to you til we meet once more.”
Earlier than the announcement, Clarkson canceled the remaining dates of her Las Vegas residency. “Sadly, I must postpone the rest of the August Studio Session dates in Las Vegas,” the previous American Idol winner wrote on Instagram on August 6. “Whereas I usually maintain my private life personal, this previous 12 months, my youngsters’s father has been ailing, and at this second, I have to be absolutely current for them.”
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In happier information, McEntire confirmed in the course of the Emmys purple carpet that she and her boyfriend of 5 years, Linn, are engaged. The information broke throughout an interview with Reside From E!: 2025 Emmys correspondent Zuri Corridor, who referred to Linn as McEntire’s “fiancé.” Neither McEntire nor Linn corrected Corridor.
Later within the night time, The Voice coach took to the stage alongside Little Large City singers Karen Fairchild and Kimberly Schlapman to commemorate 40 years of The Golden Ladies. The trio carried out the traditional sitcom’s iconic theme tune, “Thank You for Being a Good friend.”
Earlier than the efficiency, McEntire was requested by USA At this time which Golden Lady is her favourite. “That’s like [asking] who’s your finest pal in the entire vast world,” the singer joked. “However I feel perhaps Blanche. I feel I’m the Blanche and Karen is Dorothy after which Kimberly is Rose. In order that’s our characters tonight.”