Author: Ms Bich

How Reba McEntire Got Stuck In A Love Triangle With Narvel Blackstock And Her First Husband

Divorce is rarely if ever a comfortable process — especially if you’re stuck in a love triangle like Reba McEntire was. The country icon, who was married twice, tied the knot with her first husband, Charlie Battles, in 1976. “I loved Charlie with all my heart; I wanted to marry him […] We had a lot of fun,” McEntire once told CNN of Battles, who was a decade older than her and already had two children from a previous marriage.

They ultimately remained together for 11 years before splitting in 1987, with McEntire citing “choosing her career over [her] marriage.” However, just two years later, McEntire got married again. In 1989, she said “I do” to Narvel Blackstock, a guitarist in her band. In the country star’s autobiography, “Reba: My Story,” the singer detailed how she didn’t even speak to Blackstock the first time they met, in 1980, primarily because she was still married to Battles at the time.

Since McEntire’s first marriage went on for the following seven years after she initially met Blackstock, the two men crossed paths and were even friends at one point. “It was a very difficult time for me from a couple of different standpoints,” Blackstock said of McEntire and Battles’ divorce in “Reba: My Story.” He added, “It was awkward because Charlie and I had been buddies,” referring to the increasing involvement he had in her life.

McEntire’s marriage was already on the rocks

By the time Reba McEntire and Charlie Battles were divorcing, the country star had already decided to cut him out of her career, appointing Narvel Blackstock to help manage it instead. However, amid their new professional collaboration, Blackstock and McEntire caught each other’s eye more romantically too. Despite their budding romance, McEntire clarified in her memoir that her feelings for Blackstock did not influence the decision to end her marriage with Battles. “I had to tell Narvel straight out, ‘This is what I wanted to do with my life, for myself. I didn’t divorce Charlie because of you,’” she wrote.

Notably, Battles had a growing issue with McEntire’s stardom and had reportedly even started to become controlling towards her. According to “Reba: My Story,” the breaking point in the country icon’s lengthy marriage to Battles came when he stole money from her, making the singer finally realize that it was time to call it a day. Meanwhile, Blackstock was also going through a divorce from his first wife around the same time things turned sour between McEntire and Battles. “I was living as an unhappy person,” he shared in her autobiography, while McEntire re-emphasized that “both marriages had been dying for years.”

Frazer Harrison/acm2009

In 1989, Reba McEntire and Narvel Blackstock tied the knot, and less than a year later, they welcomed their first and only child, Shelby Blackstock, who went on to become a race car driver. However, after nearly three decades together, McEntire and Blackstock announced their split in 2015. During an appearance on “The Drew Barrymore Show,” the country star admitted that their relationship had turned into “a situation that was always business” over the years, elaborating, “I think it works for some people. They can be married or have a relationship and work together. Our work was all the time.”

Notably, given McEntire’s stunning net worth of almost $100 million at the time of writing, it didn’t come as a surprise when Blackstock reportedly walked away with almost half of her fortune thanks to their divorce settlement. Although the singer-songwriter didn’t want the divorce, she found strength in her faith to move forward, as she shared in a 2016 interview with “CMT Radio Live.”

About five years after her split from Narvel, McEntire struck up a relationship with a new man, actor Rex Linn. The two originally met nearly 30 years earlier on the set of “The Gambler Returns: The Luck of the Draw,” as McEntire confirmed during a 2021 appearance on “Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen,” but they were just friends until the year prior. In a follow-up chat with Cohen, in 2024, McEntire confirmed that she would be open to getting married again someday. You know what they say — third time’s the charm!

Reba McEntire Shares Rare Photo With Lookalike Son for His Birthday: ‘One of My Biggest Blessings’

Thirty-four years ago today, Reba McEntire gave birth to her only child, Shelby Blackstock—and the country music singer marked the milestone by sharing a photo with her lookalike son via social media.

On Friday, Feb. 23, McEntire took to Instagram with a birthday tribute for Shelby, whom she shares with her ex-husband, Narvel Blackstock.

“I sure feel a lot better today than I did 34 years ago! :),” she joked before reflecting on her motherhood experience. “From the first second I found out I was pregnant, up to today, this child is one of the biggest blessings of my life.”

The “I’m a Survivor” songstress concluded: “Thank you, God for letting me experience being a mama. I love you, Shelby, with all my heart mind and soul.❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️.”In the comments, Shelby chimed in with a sweet acknowledgment, writing, “❤️ love you!!”

Meanwhile, McEntire’s Instagram followers couldn’t get over how much Shelby resembles his famous mother. One person wrote, “I love that his name is Shelby. Its so southern and he looks just like his mama!”

Another Instagram user commented, “He looks like his Mama. Happy Birthday 🥳.”

Yet another person declared, “WOW twins ❤,” while someone else wrote, “He favors you SOO Much!!! Happy Birthday Shelby!🥳”

Other followers couldn’t believe Shelby is 34. One Instagram user recalled, “I remember the day they announced his birth. The whole world was pulling for you and a safe delivery.”
Another commented, “Oh my gosh…..is he really that old?😮”

In addition to Shelby, McEntire has five step-children through her two marriages: Coty and Lance Battles from her first husband, Charlie Battles, and Shawna, Brandon (Kelly Clarkson’s ex-husband) and Chasity Blackstock from her second husband, Narvel.

Reba McEntire Shares Sweetest Memory From Her Son’s Childhood

Photo: Getty Images

Reba McEntire is known by many as a country music icon, an actress, an author, coach on The Voice, and of course, a mom.

The Not That Fancy star is a mother to race care driver Shelby Blackstock, now 33.

Though Blackstock is an adult now, McEntire will always cherish memories of her only child growing up.

One of them is a sweet Christmas memory, when an eager young Blackstock woke up his superstar mom to share what Santa Claus brought for him that morning.

“I’ll never forget one (Christmas) morning I woke up and I was laying on my left side and I felt something, and I opened up my eyes, and Shelby was three inches away from my face,” McEntire said, per her record label. “He said, ‘Mom, you’re not gonna beweive what Santy Claus weft for me.’ And so, he said you’ve got to come here. I got up out of bed and went in there and there was this little tractor trailer set that he had just fallen in love with at the store. He’s seen it, and he said, ‘I can’t beweive he bought this for me.’ He was so cute.”

McEntire said she gets into the Christmas spirit with festive holiday decor, beloved movies and, of course, music. McEntire has recorded some of her own holiday music, and said her favorite Christmas song she’s ever sang was “Silent Night,” having performed the classic with “my two buddies,” Kelly Clarkson and Trisha Yearwood.

 

Will Reba say if she likes Beyoncé’s or Dolly’s ‘Jolene’ more? ‘Nope, bye!’

The internet is abuzz with the release of Beyoncé’s eighth studio album “Act II: Cowboy Carter,” and with it, opinions on her artistic choices.

The singer’s new album features collaborations with stars like Miley Cyrus and Willie Nelson, while also featuring versions of iconic songs like Dolly Parton’s 1973 hit “Jolene” and The Beatles’ “Blackbird.”

In an impromptu interview, TMZ asked Oklahoma native and country music star Reba McEntire if she prefers Parton’s “Jolene,” or Beyonce’s version.

In a short response, that’s gone viral on social media Reba responds, “Nope […] bye!”

Earlier in the video, the TMZ interviewer also asked McEntire about her thoughts on Beyonce and what she was doing for country music.

“Oh, lots of great things,” McEntire said. “I think she is wonderful and am glad to have her in country.”

In an interview with SiriusXM, McEntire said that she was “blown away” by Beyoncé’s rendition of the song.

“I think she did a great job,” McEntire said. “She put her own spin on it, and it was really cool to hear.”

When the TMZ interviewer asked for her thoughts on Joy Behar of “The View” saying the song is “anti-feminist,” McEntire laughed to herself and tried to change the subject.

Cowboy Carter released with colabs and covers of ‘Jolene,’ ‘Blackbird’

“Act II: Cowboy Carter” continues a project containing multiple acts, Act I being 2022’s critically acclaimed “Renaissance.”

Beyoncé wrote in an Instagram caption announcing the album: “This ain’t a Country album. This is a ‘Beyoncé’ album.”

The Texas native took inspiration from movies including Quentin Tarantino’s Oscar winner “The Hateful Eight,” the 2017 South African thriller “Five Fingers For Marseilles,” the influential John Travolta vehicle “Urban Cowboy,” the Clint Eastwood astronaut saga “Space Cowboys,” the 2021 Netflix Western “The Harder They Fall” and the fact-based Oklahoma epic “Killers of the Flower Moon,” according to a press release.

Although she became the first Black woman to top Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart this year after her single “Texas Hold ‘Em” debuted at No. 1, Beyoncé recently revealed on Instagram that the album also was influenced by her negative experiences in country music. The post apparently referenced her 2016 surprise performance at the Country Music Association Awards of her “Lemonade” album track “Daddy Lessons” alongside The Chicks. Her appearance was criticized by some fans and artists in the genre.

Is Gwen Stefani Pregnant? What We Know

Despite already being a mother to three boys, some fans are entertaining the notion that the Grammy-award-winning artist might be hiding a tiny surprise — a fourth child with Blake Shelton.

Ah, the start of a new year, a time when we can always count on an influx of fresh celebrity news, from breakups to engagements to pregnancy rumors. And guess who’s the latest subject of baby speculation? Not the usual suspect, Taylor Swift, but the one and only Gwen Stefani – singer, songwriter, and fashion icon.

Despite already being a mother to three boys, some fans are entertaining the notion that the Grammy-award-winning artist might be hiding a tiny surprise — a fourth child with Blake Shelton. But hold off on those baby name brainstorming sessions for now. After all, rumors are just that — rumors. So, let’s dig into whether there’s any truth to these baby speculations… or if it’s simply another instance of unfounded celebrity gossip.

What Has Sparked the Recent Gwen Stefani Pregnancy Rumors?

Why is everyone buzzing about the possibility of Gwen Stefani being pregnant? Well, it might have everything to do with her and Blake Shelton’s relationship. In case you missed it, the pair’s romance, which began in 2015 when the couple met on”The Voice” and culminated in a 2021 wedding, has been a hot topic for years with fans affectionately nicknaming them ‘Gwake.’

While Blake has no biological children of his own, he’s been a doting stepdad to Gwen’s three sons from her previous marriage to Gavin Rossdale, Kingston, Zuma, and Apollo. But recently, a lot of fans have been wondering if baby “Gwake” will be formally announced.

Is Gwen Stefani pregnant?

While Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton have yet to make a formal baby-on-board declaration, it’s important to acknowledge that they have been the subject of pregnancy gossip since they were dating. But now, with Stefani’s recent departure from “The Voice” hot on the heels of her husband’s exit, the rumor mill is churning once again. Some fans are trying to connect the dots and wondering, ‘Could this move be baby-related?’ But as of now, it’s all still up in the air and open to interpretation.

Speaking of interpretation, what piques our curiosity lately is Gwen’s sprinkling of the world ‘blossoming’ in one of her latest Instagram posts. Yes, it could signify anything from a commitment to gardening (Stefani did post about working on her rose and peony garden on January 6th) to a potential new project or beauty line, or dare we say, a ‘blossoming pregnancy’? We know, we know now, it’s a huge stretch, but hey, we’ll just have to wait and see. Time’s the real sleuth in this situation, isn’t it?

Gwen Stefani’s pregnancy official announcement

Currently, Gwen Stefani hasn’t confirmed a pregnancy with baby number four. But if and when the time comes, we’re hoping she’ll announce it in a super cute and stylish way, as Lindsay Lohan did with her $17 Amazon onesie for her first child. On the other hand, she might choose privacy over publicity, following in the footsteps of Paris Hilton’s previous pregnancies. But for now, it’s all speculation, and no, there’s no little one on the horizon.

So, as we eagerly await to see how this rumor will play out, let’s celebrate that our favorite Hollaback Girl is already slaying it as a Hollaback Mama.

Chance the Rapper sheds tears over My Funny Valentine cover during The Voice Playoffs

“I am broken right now, I literally just started crying” said the coach about the “perfect” rendition.

Chance the Rapper on the first part of ‘The Voice’ playoffs.

Listen, The Voice Playoffs are stressful, so it makes sense that some tears will be shed. Is it surprising, though, that the first one to succumb to those heightened emotions is newbie coach Chance the Rapper? A little, until you hear the performance that brings him to tears.

Things are actually extra-stressful for our coaches in season 23’s revamped Playoffs round. This season, since the Playoffs aren’t live, that means America won’t have any say in who moves forward to the Top 8 Semi-Finals. Instead, each coach will have to cut their team down from five members to just two based on their one performance during this round.

Trae Patton/NBC

So, suffice it to say that Chance was already feeling the pressure before his Knockouts steal artist, Kala Banham started singing her rendition of the jazz standard “My Funny Valentine” in rehearsals — and after? Well, he finally realized just how agonizing the Playoffs were going to be. Kala, who was initially on Niall Horan’s team before Kelly Clarkson stole her in the Battles, wound up on Team Chance after impressing him with her emotional version of “Iris” by Goo Goo Dolls in the Knockouts. He’s even more impressed when in his first rehearsal with her, she moves him to tears with her gorgeous take on the classic Ella Fitzgerald song. “I am broken right now, I literally just started crying” he says, wiping away some tears after she finishes. He tries to give her advice about sustaining some notes instead of using so much vibrato but then cuts himself off: “what do I know?” he tells her, obviously her vocal choices worked if he’s this torn up emotionally. Now he knows he made the right choice in using his steal on her.

Kala Banham performing ‘My Funny Valentine’ during ‘The Voice’ playoffs. Tyler Golden/NBC

Once we get to hear Kala perform, we know he did, too. It’s a stunning version of the song done with some real precision and emotion (a tough combo!), and it gets Kelly Clarkson, Niall Horan, and Blake Shelton all on their feet to give Kala a deserved standing ovation. Blake calls it “perfect” and tells Chance that she needs to be one of his picks to move forward. “It’s my show,” the long-time coach adds, “so you have to do what I say.” Kelly tells her former artist that she “made it Kala’s version, as if that was a brand new song,” before calling her version “so beautiful and dark, but inspiring.” Chance couldn’t be more proud, calling the performance and Kala’s ability to make songs her own “insane.”

Surprisingly, however, Kala Banham does not end up being one of the two acts Chance decides to send to the semi-finals. It’s clearly a tough choice for him — Kelly, whose team will be competing next week alongside Team Niall — informs Team Chance that their coach has been angsting over his choice all day. In the end, he goes with his sister pop trio Sorelle, who perform “Something’s Got A Hold on Me” by Etta James and again standout simply for how different they are from other acts, as well as R&B singer Ray Uriel who impressed with his version of “Essence” by Wizkid featuring Tems, in his most confident performance yet. They’ll be joining Team Blake’s NOIVAS, who blew the roof off the place with “Come Together” by The Beatles and country female vocalist Grace West, whose consistency and authentic country voice has stuck out to Blake since the Blinds (and again here in her version of The Judds’ “Love Is Alive”).

It’s a tough break for Kala Banham, who easily had one of the best performances of the night. But, she’ll always have that teary rehearsal, I guess?

Reba McEntire Defends Dolly Parton After Joy Behar Insult

Reba McEntire jumped to good friend Dolly Parton’s defense after The View co-host Joy Behar insulted the country music icon. Why would the journalist have anything negative to say about the “9 to 5” singer? Keep reading for all the details on the feud.

The View Co-Host Shades Dolly Parton

Pop singer Beyoncé released her first country album last month to mixed reviews. One of the tracks on the Cowboy Carter is a cover of Dolly Parton’s major hit “Jolene.” Beyoncé didn’t stay with the original lyrics, however. Dolly’s version begs Jolene not to take her man. Beyoncé’s version takes a more aggressive approach, practically daring Jolene to even try.

Beyoncé’s version opens with the verse, “Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene/I’m warning you, don’t come for my man.”

Some diehard Dolly Parton fans were offended that the R&B singer changed the lyrics. However, Joy Behar thought the new lyrics were actually better than the original. The co-host of ABC’s The View said, “I like the subject of Beyoncé taking over the lyrics,” on a podcast this week.

Joy Behar-YouTube

She added, “I just think that the original thing with Dolly Parton is so, like, anti-feminist, worrying about some good-looking woman taking your man.”

Many fans took to social media to defend Dolly Parton against the claim.

Reba McEntire Defends Her Friend After Joy Behar Insult

Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton have been friends since the 1980s or longer. The blonde bombshell even made a guest appearance on Reba’s self-named sitcom, Reba. Maybe she will make a cameo on Reba’s upcoming NBC show.

TMZ reporters caught up with Reba McEntire to ask her about Joy Behar’s comment about Dolly Parton. The “Fancy” singer simply laughed and said, “Beautiful day, isn’t it?”

The reporter pressed Reba more, asking if she had a favorite “Jolene” cover – Dolly’s or Beyoncé’s. The Voice coach again took the high road again with a “Nope,” as she walked away. Watch the interaction between Reba McEntire and TMZ:

Reba McEntire says it’s wonderful to have Beyoncé making country music.

As for Joy Behar saying Dolly Parton’s song Jolene is anti-feminist, Reba just laughed. pic.twitter.com/Eud2hBeBhb

— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) April 4, 2024

Not Everyone Is A Fan Of Beyoncé Covering “Jolene”

Joy Behar may be a fan of Beyoncé’s lyrics changes, but not everyone is on board. British singer and actress Lily Allen isn’t a fan. She spoke out about the cover, saying it “wasn’t good.”

She added, “It’s very weird that you cover the most successful songs in that genre.”

What do you think about Joy Behar’s diss of Dolly Parton’s version of “Jolene”? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Reba McEntire: How I Became a Racing Mom

Photo: Butch Dill/AP

Reba McEntire has spent much of the last 40 years on tour, but these days she’s just as often hitting a different kind of road: the racetrack. Her son Shelby Blackstock is a rising star in the racing world who’ll be competing on the Andretti Autosport team in the Pro Mazda Championship in Indianapolis on Saturday.

He is having a ball and I go see him whenever I can, the singer recently told a crowd of several hundred Nashville-area middle and high school students in the CMA Theater at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

McEntire was less thrilled by the idea when Blackstock called her midway through his first semester at the University of Arizona and told her he wanted to quit college and take up racing. “He told me he didn t want to finish. I said, ‘What are you talking about? Yes, you will finish college!’,” she recalls. “He said he didn t want to and I said, ‘Well what will you do?’ He said he wanted to be a race car driver. I was shocked to pieces! He said, ‘Mom, I ve always loved cars.’ I said, ‘I know! You can be a car dealer or a mechanic!’”

Eventually McEntire decided on a compromise. “I bribed him and said if he finished that year in college his dad and I would send him to racing school in Phoenix,” she says. “He finished, then went to Bob Bondurant s school and set a track record. He was a natural. It got our attention.”

Since making his official racing debut in August, 2010, Blackstock, 24, whose nickname and Twitter handle is Shelbilly, has been getting plenty of attention in the racing world, claiming his first victory with Fall-Line Motorsports teammate Ashley Freiberg in Daytona s IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge BMW Performance 200 in January. He is currently ranked at #5 in the 2014 season standings.

And McEntire and husband Narvel Blackstock are the #1 fans of No. 28, traveling the circuit to cheer him. Meanwhile, her exhibit, All The Women I Am, at the Country Music Hall of Fame –where she was inducted in 2011 – will remain up through June 22. Miranda s display is up now, she told the students. I m really looking forward to seeing that.

Carson Daly Is Having a Rough 1st Day on The Voice Without Blake Shelton: See Pic

Daly was struggling without his bestie’s presence!

July 10 was Carson Daly’s first day hosting The Voice without his good friend and former Coach, Blake Shelton, and it’s safe to say that Daly misses the cowboy dearly.

Daly took to his official Instagram page and shared an update on how he’s doing in a Blake-less Voice world. “My first day ever shooting @nbcthevoice without @blakeshelton. We had a ritual of getting hair & makeup together for 23 seasons. I think I’m handling it well. Everything’s fine,” he jokingly captioned the post, which shows him dramatically fake-crying.

Carson Daly and Blake Shelton: The Voice’s dynamic duo

Photo: Getty Images

Shelton’s last day on The Voice was this May during the Season 23 finale. Daly made a sincere post then, too, that gave a nod to everything Shelton contributed to the show.

“Today’s just gonna be weird! No other way to put it. For over 12 years I’ve watched the cowboy do his thing on @nbcthevoice & we have laughed & had fun, literally the entire time. Thank you buddy! Enjoy your big red chair retirement, you’ve earned it! Now let’s go make a drink! (Bring some ice over from your room, they never gave me any😂) #OneMoreShow,” Daly wrote, to which Shelton’s wife, Gwen Stefani, added a slew of crying emojis.

Shelton announced that Season 23 of The Voice would be his last in October 2022. “I’ve been wrestling with this for a while, and I’ve decided that it’s time for me to step away from The Voice after Season 23,” Shelton said in an official statement. “This show has changed my life in every way for the better, and it will always feel like home to me. It’s been a hell of a ride over these 12 years of chair turns, and I want to thank everyone at The Voice from NBC, every producer, the writers, musicians, crew and catering people; you are the best.”

Photo: Getty Images

He continued, “It takes a lot of work, passion, and adult beverages (Ha!) to pull off a live show twice a week. I’ve made lifelong bonds with Carson and every single one my fellow Coaches over the years, including my wife Gwen Stefani! I have to give a huge shoutout to the singers–the ‘Voices,’ who come on this stage season after season and amaze us with their talent, and a special thanks to those who chose me to be their Coach. Lastly, it’s about y’all, the fans, who watch and support these Artists, us Coaches, and everyone at The Voice who are chasing their dreams. It would not happen without you!”

Carson Daly Had the Funniest Reaction to Being in People’s Sexiest Man Alive Issue

The Voice Host made it into the fabled pages of the Sexiest Man Alive issue — but he’s far more interested in meat he can eat.

As the Host of The Voice since day 1, Carson Daly has seen his fair share of People’s Sexiest Men: Coaches Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, and John Legend have all graced the cover of the magazine’s fabled issue. But this year, it was Daly’s turn. Sadly, not on the cover (that went to Patrick Dempsey), but inside the feature, which is close enough. And he took the honor with multiple grains of salt — which he then sprinkled on a ribeye steak.

Carson Daly’s reaction to being in People’s 2023 Sexiest Men Alive issue

“I’m equal parts appreciative & confused how I made it in @people #SexiestManAlive issue, but thank you!! Maybe they meant #SteakiestManAlive? 🧐🥩🥩 I’m honored!” Daly, who is also a co-Host on TODAY, wrote on Instagram. (For context: The picture People chose depicts Daly salting a steak with a blurb about his love of food and cooking. And in a video for People’s issue, Daly shares his tips for making the best steak, a favorite meal in his household.)

What’s the Instagram version of a chair turn? Whatever it is, everyone’s spinning on Daly’s page over this news. He’s received a ton of supportive comments, ranging from “Well deserved! You’ve been sexy since the ’90s” to, “You are just an amazing person. Great dad, excellent TV personality, and also your support for mental health make you very ‘sexy’. Enjoy the attention! Don’t question it. That is the anxiety talking!”

Daly has been open about his ongoing struggle with anxiety, helping to raise awareness and even revealing one of his coping mechanisms to USA Today: “On The Voice, when I’m live on Monday nights, most of the time, my right hand is in my right pocket, and I’m literally gripping onto the flesh of my thigh because I’m waiting for a high-panic moment to pass.”

Carson Daly hosts during the Season 24 premiere of The Voice. Photo: Greg Gayne/NBC

Carson Daly’s wife, Siri Pinter

If you were hoping to score a date with this MVP steak chef, you’re sadly out of luck. He married his wife, food blogger Siri Pinter, in 2015.

They share four adorable children who are especially close to Daly’s bestie, Blake Shelton. Pinter wrote in an Instagram post about the cowboy, “He is gentle, hilarious, delights my kids, looks you in the eye and listens, loves with his whole heart, eats fried calamari with his whole belly, worships Gwen [Stefani], and is a true brother to my husband.”