Here Are 8 Fun Facts About Country Music Superstar & Actress Reba McEntire
Have you ever wanted to learn some unique facts about country music legend Reba McEntire? Then you’ve come to the right place!
Reba is known as one of the most successful female artists in all of country music history. In addition to her music career, Reba has managed to establish herself as a household name thanks to her acting career and stint as a coach on The Voice.
Since Reba is such a well-known public figure, there’s little out there that people don’t know about her. But there are a few facts about the red-headed country icon that only her most devoted fans know. Are you one of those fans?
We’ve gathered together a list of eight lesser-known facts about Reba to share with y’all. Go ahead and look below to see how many you know!
Fact #1 – She Comes From A Rodeo Background
Born and raised in Oklahoma, Reba grew up in the midst of the rodeo world. Her family’s role in the rodeo world certainly wasn’t small. In fact, they were one of the most highly respected families in rodeo at that time..
Her grandfather, Jon Wesley McEntire won the Steer Roping World Championship title in 1934. Her father, Clark McEntire, won the same title a total of three times. He was inducted into the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame.
As a child, Reba went to most of her father’s events. She participated in the rodeo as well, competing in the barrel racing event.
Fact #2 – Reba McEntire Learned To Drive As A Child
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Growing up on a ranch, Reba was always busy with one chore or another. As is usually the case for farm kids, Reba also learned how to drive from a young age.
But Reba was just a little thing by the time she knew how to drive! At only five years old, Reba was a pro at driving her father’s truck. She would drive while her father stood in the bed and tossed off hay to the cattle.
We only have one question…how did she reach the pedals?
Fact #3 – She Wrote An Essay & Won A Ford Truck For It
Speaking of driving, Reba once won the use of a Ford truck thanks to an essay she wrote. When she was 16 years old, Reba wrote an essay as part of a competition and won. She was named “Miss Ford Country” and received the Ford as her prize.
Reba only had use of the truck for six months, so she took full advantage of it. While former winners hardly used the truck at all, Reba made sure to get as much use out of it as possible. Once the six months were up, she had managed to put 18,000 miles on the truck!
Fact #4 – Reba McEntire Went To School To Become A Teacher
Reba’s mother had wanted to be a country singer, but ended up becoming a teacher instead. While Reba started singing from a young age, she felt inspired by her mother’s career choice.
Because of this, Reba majored in elementary education while she studied at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. But she didn’t give up on music entirely. She also held a minor in music, and participated in her college’s show choir group.
Fact #5 – She Turned Down A Role In Titanic
Regarded as one of the greatest movies of all time, 1997’s Titanic was a worldwide phenomenon. Reba had been acting for several years at that point, after making her debut in the film Tremors alongside Kevin Bacon.
It seems that Titanic director James Cameron was a big fan of McEntire’s. He actually chose her to play the role of the “Unsinkable” Molly Brown in the movie. But believe it or not, Reba actually turned down the role!
However, Reba had a good reason for declining. Her tour schedule was already set at that point, and shooting the movie would interfere with that. The role ended up going to Kathy Bates, who won a Blockbuster Entertainment Award for her performance.
Fact #6 – Reba McEntire Was Good Friends With A Former President
It turns out that Reba and late President George H.W. Bush go way back. Reba appeared in many photos with him in the past, and exchanged e-mails with him every now and then.
Since the two were friends, it only made perfect sense that Reba was the one who introduced President Bush during the 1991 CMA Awards.
Fact #7 – She Almost Had A Different Duet Partner For “Does He Love You”
Reba’s Grammy-winning duet with Linda Davis is known as one of her greatest songs ever. But if Reba’s record label had gotten its way, Linda never would have been involved.
Linda was one of Reba’s backup singers at the time, and she felt she would be the perfect fit for the duet. But as Reba explained in her autobiography, her record label wanted her to bring on a bigger name.
Reba explained that she ended up passing a demo tape along to Wynonna Judd, but she never got back to her. Reba went ahead and recorded the song with Linda. As we know now, they made for the perfect team!
Fact # 8 – Reba McEntire Has Close Ties To Kelly Clarkson
When Reba married Narvel Blackstock in 1989 she entered her new role as a stepmother to his three children, Chassidy, Shawna, and Brandon. Reba and Narvel also have one child together of their own, a son named Shelby.
Over the years, Reba ended up developing a close relationship with American Idol winner and pop star Kelly Clarkson. In 2007, the two recorded a chilling duet of Kelly’s hit “Because of You” for Reba’s duets album.
But the two singers share an even closer connection than that. In 2013, Kelly married Reba’s stepson Brandon, making Reba her mother-in-law! (Kelly and Brandon have since split as well, but she and Reba are still close).
There you have it folks! Which one of these facts about Reba McEntire surprised you the most?