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  • Some specific ways Reba McEntire instilled good values into her son

    Some specific ways Reba McEntire instilled good values into her son

    When Reba McEntire gave birth to her son Shelby Blackstock in 1990, she knew she wanted to raise him to become a humble person. Making sure Shelby wasn’t “spoiled” was top of mind for her, and there are some specific ways she instilled good values into her son.

    Reba McEntire Shares How She Raised Her Son to Be Humble

    “When we would play games or cards, I’d never let Shelby win,” she tells People in a new interview.

    “He wouldn’t have learned anything that way. I always told Shelby, ‘I’ll always love you, but I want other people to like you,’” she adds, “‘So don’t be a little jerk. Don’t be a spoiled brat.’”

    Shelby took the hardworking attitude he learned from his mom into his career as a professional race car driver, and McEntire says people have commented on his demeanor — even to this day.

    “A lot of people have told me, ‘You would never know [he] had been blessed with the life he was given,’” she shares.

    “I’m very proud of him,” McEntire continues. “He was a kid who had ADHD and could barely read in school, and now he’s read 10 books this year. He’s always trying to improve and do better. His daddy [Narvel Blackstock] did a great job too.”

    All About Reba McEntire's Son Shelby Blackstock

    McEntire is busy these days balancing her music career and her acting career (she currently has a role on ABC’s Big Sky), and when she was raising Shelby, she was just as busy on tour and starring in her sitcom Reba. The singer says she had plenty of help during those days, and she spent as much time with her son as she could between shows.

    “I had the best nannies, and I took him on the road with me,” she reveals. “When I couldn’t, I would fly home after a concert, get him up in the morning, take him to school and pick him up. We’d play until I had to fly out again for a concert that night. I wanted to be with Shelby. Still do.”

    McEntire also reveals that she felt somewhat “self-centered” before welcoming Shelby with ex Narvel Blackstock, and she and her son remain close to this day.

    “Shelby is a gift from God to me,” she adds. “We’re very close. I was a very self-centered person to a degree before Shelby. But then there’s a little character who you are given the job to protect and nurture and love and teach, so all the attention’s not on you anymore.”

    Shelby Blackstock married earlier this year — see photos here.

    10 Surprising Things You Never Knew About Reba McEntire:

    1. She's pals with former President George H. W. Bush.
    1. She’s pals with former President George H. W. Bush.

    Tommaso Boddi, Getty Images

    1. She’s pals with former President George H. W. Bush.

    In 2006, McEntire told Entertainment Weekly that she and the former president keep in touch via email. “Matter of fact, I was in New York one time during the World Series watching the game, and I saw President Bush and Barbara sittin’ behind home plate. I get on my Treo, and I e-mail him, ‘Hey, I see you on TV. Have a hot dog for me.’ I see him elbowing Barbara, and pointin’ down to his Treo. Then he’s just workin’ on it. Pretty soon I get a message back from him: ‘Wait ’til so-and-so gets up to bat, and I’ll wave at ya.’”

    2. 'Reba' was almost called 'Sally'.
    2. ‘Reba’ was almost called ‘Sally’.

    Kevin Winter, Getty Images

    2. ‘Reba’ was almost called ‘Sally’.

    True story! McEntire’s hit WB television show Reba almost had a different name. Actually, it almost had a completely different lead! McEntire tells country radio DJ Bobby Bones that the show was actually meant to star iconic actor Sally Field (hence the show’s name). When Field turned the project down, McEntire stepped in, but producers wanted to keep the show’s (and her character’s) name the same; in fact, they even taped two versions of the pilot episode, one with her character’s name as Sally and one with her name as Reba.

    It gets even wilder, though: During “upfronts” — when a network promotes its lineup — McEntire says the show was called Deep in the Heart, because it’s set in the Houston, Texas, area. It wasn’t until the very last minute that the show’s title was changed to Reba — and, really, thank goodness it was!

    3. Wynonna Judd was the first choice for her
    3. Wynonna Judd was the first choice for her “Does He Love You” duet partner.

    Kevin Winter, Getty Images

    3. Wynonna Judd was the first choice for her “Does He Love You” duet partner.

    McEntire’s 1993 duet with Linda Davis was originally intended to be with another country legend. She once told Country Weekly that her label was pushing for Wynonna Judd to share vocals on “Does He Love You,” a song that produced a somewhat controversial and definitely dramatic music video. McEntire wanted Davis (mother to Hillary Scott of Lady Antebellum), so she suggested that Davis record it as a fill-in. “But she just knocked it out of the ballpark,” McEntire says — so they kept her.

    4. She passed on a No. 1 hit for George Strait.
    4. She passed on a No. 1 hit for George Strait.

    David Becker, Getty Images for SiriusXM

    4. She passed on a No. 1 hit for George Strait.

    George Strait’s No. 1 hit from 1984 could have gone to McEntire, but the singer says she passed on “Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind” because it made a reference to beer. The song ended up as the title track on Strait’s fourth album, and McEntire notched her own No. 1 hit that year with “How Blue.”

    5. In her spare time, she enjoys photography.
    5. In her spare time, she enjoys photography.

    Jason Kempin, Getty Images for ACM

    5. In her spare time, she enjoys photography.

    Yeah, McEntire somehow has spare time. She tells  the Boot that she loves to “piddle” with her camera (“I love when people send me pictures that I don’t have,” she adds). Other things she enjoys doing her spare time: trap and skeet shooting, and going on vacations.

    6. There are three singing McEntires.
    6. There are three singing McEntires.

    Amy Sussman, Getty Images

    6. There are three singing McEntires.

    Reba isn’t the only McEntire with a country hit. Her brother Pake scored a Top 5 hit with “Savin’ My Love for You” in 1986, and her sister Susie is a gospel singer. When they were young, the family band was quite a local sensation; they played rodeos throughout the Midwest until Reba went off to college. All three were accustomed to life on the road by that point, so when she set off on her own, she often knew how to handle a map better than her bus driver.

    7. Faith Hill auditioned for her band, but ...
    7. Faith Hill auditioned for her band, but …

    David J. Phillip, Getty Images

    7. Faith Hill auditioned for her band, but …

    She didn’t get the job. Hill was looking to be a backup singer, but McEntire says she didn’t think the future star was right for the gig. It ended up being a life-saving rejection: Paula Kay Evans was the singer who got the job, and she was one of McEntire’s eight band and crew members killed in a plane crash near San Diego, Calif., in March of 1991. Hill says she doesn’t think fate had anything to do with it: “I wasn’t a great background singer, and I didn’t get the part,” she tells Larry King.

    8. She 
    8. She “tended” to the bulls.

    Ethan Miller, Getty Images

    8. She “tended” to the bulls.

    In her 1995 autobiography, McEntire talks about her early days with the bulls: It was her job to help castrate them, and afterward, she and her two sisters would carry a bucket of testicles to the house and clean them.

    “We called them mountain oysters,” she writes (quote via Country Weekly). “Then we’d take them in to Mama, and she’d slice them thin, roll them in flour and fry them in hot grease in a huge cast-iron skillet. I was literally raised on mountain oysters.”

    Is it any wonder the singer became a superstar in a industry dominated by men?

    9. After that plane crash, she turned to Waylon Jennings.
    9. After that plane crash, she turned to Waylon Jennings.

    Isaac Brekken, Getty Images for ACM

    9. After that plane crash, she turned to Waylon Jennings.

    You see, Jennings had given up his seat on the plane that crashed on Feb. 3, 1959, killing Buddy Holly, the Big Bopper and others, so he was one of very few people who could relate to McEntire’s anguish. In her autobiography, she tells how he encouraged her not to feel guilty: “It wasn’t meant for you to be on that plane or you would have been. So don’t blame yourself, and don’t feel guilty,” she says Jennings told her.

    10. She wanted to be a teacher.
    10. She wanted to be a teacher.

    Ethan Miller, Getty Images

    10. She wanted to be a teacher.

    McEntire’s mom was a schoolteacher, and the future star majored in elementary education at Southeastern Oklahoma State University while minoring in music. Raise your hand if you wish this country legend was the one teaching you the “three Rs” all those years ago … We imagine she’d be the Mary Poppins of the classroom!

  • Reba’s Journey of Overcoming Career Adversity

    Reba’s Journey of Overcoming Career Adversity

    Reba McEntire’s For My Broken Heart was, indeed, a salve. At the time of its release, on Oct. 1, 1991 — 31 years ago today — the singer was mourning the deaths of most of her band in a plane crash that happened just over six months prior.

    The 10 songs on For My Broken Heart, McEntire shared in the album’s liner notes, were chosen to serve as “a form of healing for all our broken hearts.” McEntire co-wrote just one of the songs, “Bobby,” the story of a man imprisoned for killing his ailing wife who reconciles with his son years later.

    McEntire led For My Broken Heart with its title track, released just one day prior to the album’s arrival. The song, written by Liz Hengber and Keith Palmer, rose to No. 1 on the country radio chart by early December. “Is There Life Out There,” another chart-topper, followed, as did the now-classic “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia” (No. 12 on the charts) and “The Greatest Man I Never Knew,” a Top 5 single.

    Reba McEntire – For My Broken Heart (Official Music Video)

    Upon its debut, For My Broken Heart debuted in the Top 5 on the country albums chart, then climbed from No. 4 to No. 3, where it stayed for seven consecutive weeks. The album stayed in the Top 10 on that chart for 20 consecutive weeks, and, with its No. 13 peak on the all-genre Billboard 200, was McEntire’s highest-charting album on that chart at the time. It’s been certified four-times platinum.

    McEntire also notched several major awards nominations thanks to For My Broken Heart: At the 1992 CMA Awards, she was nominated for Entertainer of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year and Music Video of the Year; at the 1992 Grammy Awards, the album earned McEntire a Best Female Country Vocal Performance nod.

    The 1992 ACM Awards were a particularly special night, however. McEntire was nominated three times — for Entertainer of the Year, Top Female Vocalist and Video of the Year — and she won twice, in the Video and Female Vocalist categories. She dedicated the latter to “my eight buddies” in an emotional acceptance speech.

    “I think country music has got some of the best people in it,” McEntire said, offering gratitude to those who supported her in the months after the crash. “I want you to know it means the world to me.”

    Reba McEntire Wins Top Female Vocalist – ACM Awards 1991

    The March 16, 1991, plane crash in San Diego, Calif., killed seven of McEntire’s band members and her tour manager, as well as the plane’s pilot and co-pilot, when the plane crashed into a nearby mountain shortly after takeover. A second plane carrying other members of McEntire’s band and crew flew safely, while McEntire, her then-husband and -manager, Narvel Blackstock, and her stylist, Sandy Spika, were safe because they had stayed overnight in the area.

    WATCH: You Think You Know Reba McEntire?

  • Reba McEntire offered Ty Herndon life-altering advice that he still holds onto today

    Reba McEntire offered Ty Herndon life-altering advice that he still holds onto today

    Ty Herndon’s life and musical journey has seen its ups and downs. In his darkest hour, Reba McEntire offered him life-altering advice that he still holds onto today.

    Ty Herndon’s life and musical journey has seen its ups and downs. His initial musical success came during the 1990s, but his life took a turn in the early 2000s when he entered rehabilitation for a drug and alcohol addiction. He returned to music in the late 2000s, however, releasing his album, Right About Now, in 2007.

    “I felt like a stranger to a business that I absolutely know everything about,” Herndon tells Taste of Country Nights’ Evan Paul of his return. “I moved out to Los Angeles . . . and it’s like, you blink your eyes and six years have gone by. I haven’t made any music. I’ve been having way too much fun.”

    Reba McEntire Reveals Her Secret to Feeling Joyful (Exclusive)

    When he returned to making music, Reba McEntire shared some important advice with him about restarting his career that he still holds onto today.

    “I remember something that Reba told me a long time ago,” he continues. “‘If we’re in this business, we’re going to have to reinvent ourselves all the time,’ she goes. ‘But the foundation of you and your eyeballs and who you are will stay in your music.’ She said, ‘Reinvention is kind of listening to who the cool new songwriters are, who the cool new producers are, who’s an excellent drummer that played on somebody’s record ten years ago but is kind of having a comeback. You find people that are really in it to win it.”

    Reba McEntire to LGBT Community: 'I've Got Your Back'

    These days, Herndon is reinventing himself yet again. He released his latest album, Jacob, on July 15, which comes after another low point in his life. In 2020, Herndon’s crystal meth addiction took hold again, and he nearly died. At his lowest point, he was sitting in his apartment with 27 Ambien tablets in his hand, ready to end his life, he told People.

    Herndon shared more about his addiction journey and his new album with Taste of Country earlier this month.

    “I thought to myself, ‘I’m not going to get out of this alive.’ And a calmness came over me, man,” he said. “It was the most peaceful thing. I made a decision that I was gonna leave this earth. You know, I did it. I’m leaving a legacy of music. I’m leaving some pretty good things behind. My family is peaceful. My nephew is grown. It’s a good time to go. People are going to remember you in a good place.”

  • Reba McEntire gives the Dress off Her Back For Charity

    Reba McEntire gives the Dress off Her Back For Charity

    Many of Reba McEntire’s fans already know that philanthropy is important to the singer: Over the years, she’s lent her support to organizations including the Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, the Texoma Medical Center and more, plus her Reba’s Ranch House in Texas helps people have a place to stay while supporting their hospitalized loved ones.

    She’s also a frequent supporter of Celebrity Fight Night, an annual charity event that draws stars from all corners of show business to raise money for cancer research. At an Arizona Fight Night event in mid-March, McEntire was part of the evening’s entertainment, and she also auctioned off a chance for one fan to have dinner with her in Nashville.

    Reba McEntire Literally Gave the Dress off Her Back For Charity

    But that evening, McEntire wound up giving a little more to charity than she bargained for, the singer recounted to Taste of Country and other outlets during a recent press event.

    “I was the emcee, and I was wearing this beautiful gown that Johnathan Kayne made for me,” she says. “It was beautiful, and had big bell sleeves. So I auctioned off a dinner to whoever wanted to go have dinner with me, and after that, I said, ‘Does anybody want this dress?’ Of course, the women kinda perked up, and they said, ‘Yeah.’”

    So McEntire made the impromptu decision to auction off her dress.

    Reba McEntire Literally Gave the Dress off Her Back For Charity

    “We auctioned it off for $150,000,” she continues, adding that the woman who bought it said that not only did she want it — she wanted to walk out of the event with it.

    “I had to go change clothes. I had to get my jeans on,” McEntire recounts. “Because…the woman who bought it, I know her, and she said, ‘No, I want it tonight. I don’t want you to take it home and dry clean it — I want you to give it to me now.’

    “I said, ‘Okay.’ And I went and got my jeans and boots on,” the singer adds. It was all in the name of a good cause, after all — the money went to funding cancer research.

    Of course, McEntire has rocked plenty of iconic red carpet looks over the years, and she says she’s still got a cache of some of her all-time best looks in a climate-controlled storage unit where they’ll be safe — that is, until the next time she decides to pull one out for a surprise auction.

    10 Surprising Things You Never Knew About Reba McEntire:

    1. She's pals with former President George H. W. Bush.
    1. She’s pals with former President George H. W. Bush.

    Tommaso Boddi, Getty Images

    1. She’s pals with former President George H. W. Bush.

    In 2006, McEntire told Entertainment Weekly that she and the former president keep in touch via email. “Matter of fact, I was in New York one time during the World Series watching the game, and I saw President Bush and Barbara sittin’ behind home plate. I get on my Treo, and I e-mail him, ‘Hey, I see you on TV. Have a hot dog for me.’ I see him elbowing Barbara, and pointin’ down to his Treo. Then he’s just workin’ on it. Pretty soon I get a message back from him: ‘Wait ’til so-and-so gets up to bat, and I’ll wave at ya.’”

    2. 'Reba' was almost called 'Sally'.
    2. ‘Reba’ was almost called ‘Sally’.

    Kevin Winter, Getty Images

    2. ‘Reba’ was almost called ‘Sally’.

    True story! McEntire’s hit WB television show Reba almost had a different name. Actually, it almost had a completely different lead! McEntire tells country radio DJ Bobby Bones that the show was actually meant to star iconic actor Sally Field (hence the show’s name). When Field turned the project down, McEntire stepped in, but producers wanted to keep the show’s (and her character’s) name the same; in fact, they even taped two versions of the pilot episode, one with her character’s name as Sally and one with her name as Reba.

    It gets even wilder, though: During “upfronts” — when a network promotes its lineup — McEntire says the show was called Deep in the Heart, because it’s set in the Houston, Texas, area. It wasn’t until the very last minute that the show’s title was changed to Reba — and, really, thank goodness it was!

    3. Wynonna Judd was the first choice for her
    3. Wynonna Judd was the first choice for her “Does He Love You” duet partner.

    Kevin Winter, Getty Images

    3. Wynonna Judd was the first choice for her “Does He Love You” duet partner.

    McEntire’s 1993 duet with Linda Davis was originally intended to be with another country legend. She once told Country Weekly that her label was pushing for Wynonna Judd to share vocals on “Does He Love You,” a song that produced a somewhat controversial and definitely dramatic music video. McEntire wanted Davis (mother to Hillary Scott of Lady Antebellum), so she suggested that Davis record it as a fill-in. “But she just knocked it out of the ballpark,” McEntire says — so they kept her.

    4. She passed on a No. 1 hit for George Strait.
    4. She passed on a No. 1 hit for George Strait.

    David Becker, Getty Images for SiriusXM

    4. She passed on a No. 1 hit for George Strait.

    George Strait’s No. 1 hit from 1984 could have gone to McEntire, but the singer says she passed on “Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind” because it made a reference to beer. The song ended up as the title track on Strait’s fourth album, and McEntire notched her own No. 1 hit that year with “How Blue.”

    5. In her spare time, she enjoys photography.
    5. In her spare time, she enjoys photography.

    Jason Kempin, Getty Images for ACM

    5. In her spare time, she enjoys photography.

    Yeah, McEntire somehow has spare time. She tells  the Boot that she loves to “piddle” with her camera (“I love when people send me pictures that I don’t have,” she adds). Other things she enjoys doing her spare time: trap and skeet shooting, and going on vacations.

    6. There are three singing McEntires.
    6. There are three singing McEntires.

    Amy Sussman, Getty Images

    6. There are three singing McEntires.

    Reba isn’t the only McEntire with a country hit. Her brother Pake scored a Top 5 hit with “Savin’ My Love for You” in 1986, and her sister Susie is a gospel singer. When they were young, the family band was quite a local sensation; they played rodeos throughout the Midwest until Reba went off to college. All three were accustomed to life on the road by that point, so when she set off on her own, she often knew how to handle a map better than her bus driver.

    7. Faith Hill auditioned for her band, but ...
    7. Faith Hill auditioned for her band, but …

    David J. Phillip, Getty Images

    7. Faith Hill auditioned for her band, but …

    She didn’t get the job. Hill was looking to be a backup singer, but McEntire says she didn’t think the future star was right for the gig. It ended up being a life-saving rejection: Paula Kay Evans was the singer who got the job, and she was one of McEntire’s eight band and crew members killed in a plane crash near San Diego, Calif., in March of 1991. Hill says she doesn’t think fate had anything to do with it: “I wasn’t a great background singer, and I didn’t get the part,” she tells Larry King.

    8. She 
    8. She “tended” to the bulls.

    Ethan Miller, Getty Images

    8. She “tended” to the bulls.

    In her 1995 autobiography, McEntire talks about her early days with the bulls: It was her job to help castrate them, and afterward, she and her two sisters would carry a bucket of testicles to the house and clean them.

    “We called them mountain oysters,” she writes (quote via Country Weekly). “Then we’d take them in to Mama, and she’d slice them thin, roll them in flour and fry them in hot grease in a huge cast-iron skillet. I was literally raised on mountain oysters.”

    Is it any wonder the singer became a superstar in a industry dominated by men?

    9. After that plane crash, she turned to Waylon Jennings.
    9. After that plane crash, she turned to Waylon Jennings.

    Isaac Brekken, Getty Images for ACM

    9. After that plane crash, she turned to Waylon Jennings.

    You see, Jennings had given up his seat on the plane that crashed on Feb. 3, 1959, killing Buddy Holly, the Big Bopper and others, so he was one of very few people who could relate to McEntire’s anguish. In her autobiography, she tells how he encouraged her not to feel guilty: “It wasn’t meant for you to be on that plane or you would have been. So don’t blame yourself, and don’t feel guilty,” she says Jennings told her.

    10. She wanted to be a teacher.
    10. She wanted to be a teacher.

    Ethan Miller, Getty Images

    10. She wanted to be a teacher.

    McEntire’s mom was a schoolteacher, and the future star majored in elementary education at Southeastern Oklahoma State University while minoring in music. Raise your hand if you wish this country legend was the one teaching you the “three Rs” all those years ago … We imagine she’d be the Mary Poppins of the classroom!

  • The Multifaceted Talents and Quirky Traits of Alexandra Daddario

    The Multifaceted Talents and Quirky Traits of Alexandra Daddario

    The Untold Truth Of Alexandra Daddario

    Alexandra Daddario, known for her captivating performances on both the big and small screens, possesses a diverse range of talents and quirky traits that make her a fascinating figure beyond her acting roles.

    Culinary Skills and Cooking Passion:

    Daddario’s talent extends beyond acting to the kitchen, where she impresses with her cooking skills. During the pandemic, she honed her culinary abilities by preparing three meals a day for herself and her roommate. Known for her particular attention to onion chopping, she even joked about her roommate becoming a sous chef thanks to her guidance.

    Musical Prowess:

    Not just a talented actress, Daddario is also an exceptional pianist, thanks to her early start in piano lessons. She showcased her piano skills in “Parenthood” and has a passion for writing music as a means of de-stressing.

    Passionate Music Lover:

    Daddario’s love for music is evident in her varied tastes, ranging from jazz to rock. She has starred in multiple music videos and even sports a tattoo inspired by her favorite band, Frightened Rabbit. Her diverse playlist includes artists like Fiona Apple, the Lumineers, and WC, reflecting her eclectic musical interests.

    Accent Challenges and Fear of Flying:

    Despite her many talents, Daddario admits to struggling with certain accents, particularly the British accent. Additionally, she has openly discussed her fear of flying, a common challenge for someone in the entertainment industry who frequently travels.

    Legal Background and Family Influence:

    Coming from a family of lawyers, Daddario briefly considered following in her family’s footsteps before pursuing acting. However, her mother always believed she was destined for other endeavors, guiding her towards her true passions.

    Admiration for Steve Martin:

    Daddario harbors a deep admiration for actor Steve Martin, citing him as her favorite actor. She finds inspiration in his ability to infuse depth and nuance into his humor, which influences her own approach to acting.

    Chess Enthusiast and Dog Lover:

    In her leisure time, Daddario enjoys playing chess and has even faced some playful criticism from the chess community. She is also a devoted dog lover, with a special fondness for rescues, showcasing her compassionate nature off-screen.

    Homebody with a Relatable Lifestyle:

    Despite her fame, Daddario maintains a down-to-earth approach to life, preferring cozy nights at home over glamorous outings. She values comfort and authenticity, reflecting her confidence and independence as she navigates both her personal and professional life.

    Symbolic Encounters and Life Lessons:

    A chance encounter with a stranger offering a plastic chicken served as a symbolic reminder for Daddario to let go of her worries and embrace life’s opportunities. This anecdote highlights her openness to unconventional wisdom and her ability to find meaning in unexpected moments.

    In summary, Alexandra Daddario’s talents extend far beyond her acting roles, encompassing culinary prowess, musical abilities, intellectual pursuits, and a compassionate spirit. Her relatable quirks and genuine personality add depth to her public persona, making her a beloved figure both on and off the screen.

  • Relive the fairytale wedding of Reba McEntire’s son, Shelby Blackstock, at Disney

    Relive the fairytale wedding of Reba McEntire’s son, Shelby Blackstock, at Disney

    Reba McEntire is officially a mother-in-law: Her son, Shelby Blackstock, has tied the knot with his fiancée, Marissa Branch. Both members of the couple shared snippets of their fairytale wedding ceremony on social media, and by the looks of it, their nuptials went down on Saturday night (Feb. 12.)

    The wedding took place in Walt Disney World, the same spot where Blackstock proposed during a New Year’s trip at the end of 2020. Per her Instagram, Branch is a “Self-proclaimed Disney princess,” so it was only appropriate that the ceremony was straight out of a fairytale: The altar was decked out with flowers, with the Disney Magic Castle glowing in the background.

    After they tied the knot, Branch and Blackstock took a ride in a Cinderella-esque horse-drawn carriage and celebrated with friends and family right on the Magic Castle steps. One of Blackstock’s Instagram stories features his mother-son dance with his country superstar mom, who wore a floor-length black gown for the occasion. Their song choice was extra poignant: The mother and son danced to McEntire’s own 2005 release “You’re Gonna Be (Always Loved By Me,)” which tells the story of a parent’s love for her child.

    Blackstock’s first dance song with his new bride had a country connection, too: He and Branch danced to Kacey Musgraves’ “Butterflies.” Flip through the photos below to see all the behind-the-scenes moments from the celebration:

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    Blackstock is McEntire’s only child. His dad is Narvel Blackstock, whom McEntire divorced in 2015. He is 31 years old and an accomplished race car driver who dropped out of college to pursue the sport full-time. His older half-brother, Brandon, is Kelly Clarkson’s ex-husband.

  • What Rumored Budget Cuts Mean For Reba McEntire’s Future on ‘The Voice’

    What Rumored Budget Cuts Mean For Reba McEntire’s Future on ‘The Voice’

    What Rumored Budget Cuts Mean For Reba McEntire’s Future on ‘The Voice’

    Reba McEntire seems to be a hit with viewers and a worthy addition to The Voice. However, rumors are swirling that the show is looking to cut down on costs. What does this mean for McEntire’s chances of returning next season?

    The Voice star Reba McEntire's massive salary revealed as execs plan to  slash coaches' paychecks during 'budget cuts' | The US Sun

    First off, we should approach rumors with a certain amount of hesitancy. Still, there’s an old saying “Where there is smoke, there is fire.” An inside source close to the show told The U.S. Sun that the network is “tightening spending.” However, it is not looking to tank the show with a shoestring budget, but it does want to shave down on costs.

    In particular, they’re targeting the “talent budget” for the show. “There is a substantial trimming of costs and ways of looking at not increasing spending,” the anonymous insider said. “You can trim the budgets here and there but the reality is that the biggest fees come from the judges’ pay…Losing a couple of staff members saves you hundreds of thousands of dollars, but bringing in a freeze on pay raises and lesser deals for talent is a way to trim millions.”

    The Voice star Reba McEntire's massive salary revealed as execs plan to  slash coaches' paychecks during 'budget cuts' | The US Sun

    So what does that mean for McEntire? Well, the singer reportedly has one of the higher salaries on the show. The insider said that she is getting around $13 million a season. Past judges like Niall Horan made around $8 million for instance. However, Adam Levine made around $14.5 million. The network is reportedly firm on not increasing the salary for future seasons. So, it won’t be offering McEntire a raise.

    Will Reba McEntire Return for a Future Season?

    “It’s understood there is no room for that figure to rise, so very quietly behind the scenes private talks are taking place with agents and talent about those deals,” the insider said. “There are a few household names that would happily take a $8 million payday, which is the lower end of the earnings for stars.”

    Reba McEntire Reveals Her Secret to Feeling Joyful and Reflects on Her  First-Ever Season on “The Voice” (Exclusive)

    If McEntire is happy with her current salary, then she’d likely stay for future seasons. However, pay disputes can quickly get messy behind the scenes so who knows? Of course, McEntire may take a break from the show for an entirely different reason as coaches on the show often do.

    So far, the musician seems to be enjoying her time on the show. She recently shut down rumors that she was leaving the show.

    Is Reba McEntire Leaving The Voice? She Says...

    “Please do not click on any articles that say I am leaving The Voice. This is not true,” the singer shared the same note on X. “These are fake websites to lure people in with clickbait where they claim I have a company to sell weight loss gummy products,” she cautioned. “This is false. I do not sell or promote any type of gummy product. Please report these posts if you see them on Facebook or Instagram.”

  • Experience the Ultimate Realism: Play as Henry Cavill’s Geralt in The Witcher 3 Mod

    Experience the Ultimate Realism: Play as Henry Cavill’s Geralt in The Witcher 3 Mod

    Fans of The Witcher who desperately want to see Henry Cavill’s likeness in The Wild Hunt need not look any further than this impressive mod.

    Henry Cavill’s time as Geralt may have come to an end but enthusiasts wanting to continue his adventure in The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt can now do so with a shockingly accurate visual mod. Following the announcement that Cavill would step into the role of the titular Witcher in Netflix’s live-action series, fans of the books and video games were skeptical about his portrayal. Yet after proving his commitment to the role, a large portion of the community now views his face as the default Geralt.

    Per a post by Bjorn18 over on Nexus Mods, a team of dedicated players finally released a mod that they insist adds the most realistic depiction of Cavill’s Geralt in The Witcher 3, and based on the screenshots, they may just be right.

    Geralt kneeling in mediation in The witcher 3 Geralt point a crossbow at an unknown target in The Witcher 3 Geralt in leather armor in a dark forest in The Witcher 3 Geralt wearing a dark hood in The Witcher 3

    One of the developers responsible for the mod who goes by Draiamond worked on carefully building a character model based on the actor for three years, reportedly going through several different iterations before finally landing on a face with which they were satisfied. It’s worth noting that while the mod is in a stable state some hairstyles can result in some visual hitches.

    The Witcher 3’s next-gen update has added several minor changes that could improve players’ experience, especially in the later part of the game.

    Cavill’s Geralt Has Become a Firm Favorite

    Henry Cavill looking concerned while in a bathtub as Geralt in The Witcher

    While Netflix’s adaptation of Andrzej Sapkowski’s novels has received middling reviews since its first season, one thing upon which both fans and critics agree is Cavill’s portrayal of protagonist Geralt. The actor has earned plenty of praise for his performance which he insists comes from a place of understanding given his love of The Witcher universe. It came as a shock to many when he announced that he would not be returning to the role for the show’s fourth season.

    The reasoning behind his departure has never been confirmed but it’s speculated that Cavill didn’t appreciate The Witcher series making alterations to Sapkowski’s story. Other theories posit that the actor was gearing up to return as Superman in the DC Extended Universe, an opportunity that was cut short by James Gunn’s announcement of a rebooted franchise. Liam Hemsworth will portray Geralt in all future seasons of The Witcher.

    Geralt and Roach chasing down a gryphon in The Witcher 3

    As for The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt, CD Projekt Red’s fantasy game is still revered as one of the best RPGs ever made thanks to its captivating writing, quest design, and world-building. The story follows Geralt as he attempts to track down his adoptive daughter Ciri who is being pursued by an evil force known as The Wild Hunt. The developer is currently working on a fourth game in the franchise but next to nothing is known about its development.

  • Reba McEntire ‘Felt Used’ During Her Marriage to Narvel Blackstock: ‘She Hates to Believe It’

    Reba McEntire ‘Felt Used’ During Her Marriage to Narvel Blackstock: ‘She Hates to Believe It’

    Reba McEntire ‘Felt Used’ During Her Marriage to Narvel Blackstock: ‘She Hates to Believe It’

    It’s been nearly 10 years since Reba McEntire got her walking papers from ex-husband Narvel Blackstock, but friends say the songbird’s emotions are still raw — and she now believes he used the marriage to pad his pockets!

    “It was a situation that was always business,” says the country queen. “Whether we were getting ready in the morning, pillow talk, whatever, but it was business” — even on supposedly romantic vacations!

    Reba McEntire Can 'Never Forget' Some of What Narvel Blackstock Did in  Their Marriage

    Reba, now 69, hired Narvel to play steel guitar in her touring band back in 1980. He worked his way up to tour manager, personal manager and finally husband when the pair tied the knot in 1989.

    But Reba didn’t appreciate “in any shape, form or fashion” the divorce Narvel, 67, cooked up in 2015 to end their 26-year marriage.

    Still, Reba got her revenge when Narvel’s Starstruck Entertainment agency took major hits. Not only did Reba pull out, but Kelly Clarkson ditched them in 2020 on the heels of her divorce from Narvel’s son from his first marriage — Brandon Blackstock, who was also her manager.

    Reba McEntire Says Marriage to Ex Narvel Blackstock Was 'All Business'

    Soon afterward, Narvel’s sole remaining superstar client, Blake Shelton, left his management in 2021. “Reba says she hates to believe it, but after she turned 60, she thinks Narvel was feeling she wasn’t going to be a big moneymaker so he didn’t want to stay in the marriage,” a pal tells Closer. “She ended up feeling used. But it turned out his company took a nosedive after their divorce, so Reba can look back and say the decision blew up in Narvel’s face!”

  • “The Rock is a menace”: Dwayne Johnson Takes Things Too Far With His Creepy Message For Cody Rhodes’ Mother Michelle Rubio

    “The Rock is a menace”: Dwayne Johnson Takes Things Too Far With His Creepy Message For Cody Rhodes’ Mother Michelle Rubio

    “The Rock is a menace”: Dwayne Johnson Takes Things Too Far With His Creepy Message For Cody Rhodes’ Mother Michelle Rubio

    A Shockwave Spreads Around the Internet Following Dwayne Johnson’s Heel Promo

    "The Rock is a menace": Dwayne Johnson Takes Things Too Far With His Creepy Message For Cody Rhodes' Mother Michelle Rubio

    As WrestleMania 40 draws closer, the storyline for The Bloodline versus Cody Rhodes is reaching its peak climax. The plot got much more intriguing and exciting as Dwayne Johnson made his much anticipated WWE return for a match, supposedly against the Head of the Table, Roman Reigns. However, Rhodes, the winner of the 2024 Men’s Royal Rumble, had other plans as he finally decided that his WrestleMania opponent would be Roman Reigns. 
    The Head of the Table, Roman ReignsThe Head of the Table, Roman Reigns
    During the WrestleMania press conference, fans thought that the story had reached its boiling point as Johnson slapped Rhodes for insulting him and Reigns’ grandfather. However, that was just the beginning as the Brahma Bull has a disturbing and creepy message for the challenger’s mother, as he sings a chilling song about what he is about to do to his son in the main event of WrestleMania 40.

    Dwayne Johnson Had an Eerie Message for Cody Rhodes’ Mother

    There’s no denying that the WWE fans have seen a lot more of Dwayne Johnson since the press conference of WrestleMania 40. This week, the blue brand was present in Memphis, Tennessee, where Johnson showed off his singing skills as he displayed his heel persona and took shots at Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins.
    Dwayne JohnsonA still from the promo
    The segment started when the Black Adam actor kicked off SmackDown with a new promo without Roman Reigns and the members of Bloodline. The Great One took shots at Rhodes’ mother, Michelle Rubio, of what awaits her son at the WrestleMania.

    In a clip shared by WWE, Johnson said,
    “You gotta be sh***ing me! That’s how you respond?! [imitating crying noises] I can’t give the title to my daddy so I’m gonna give the title to my mommy, I’m gonna hand the title to my… You ain’t giving anybody anything. Cody, the Rock doesn’t want to talk to you right now but The Rock wants to talk to one person right now, and that’s your momma.”

    “Momma Rhodes, The Rock knows you’re watching, The Rock knows you’re listening, you don’t know The Rock but you’re gonna know The Rock in ways you wished that you haven’t so Momma Rhodes let The Rock break it down for you how WrestleMania is gonna go. Your son, Cody took something from me and I’m gonna make him pay, I’m gonna make your family pay, and I’m gonna make you pay.”
    The Bloodline The Bloodline
    He continued,
    “At WrestleMania Night-1 The Rock and Roman Reigns are gonna beat your son and we’re gonna beat Seth Rollins, which puts us to Night-2, where The Bloodline rules, anything goes. Oh, momma Rhodes, The Rock knows that you just can’t wait for your son to finish that story, you want your son to finish that story so bad, you want your son to hand you that belt so bad. That Universal Championship, but that ain’t gonna happen that belt is gonna stay around the waist of my cousin, Roman Reigns.”
    The segment ended with Johnson singing he is gonna enjoy Rhodes’ blood and his mother’s tears on the much-desired belt; he’s gonna wipe off her tears and whisper, “Michelle, [singing] what can I say except you’re welcome.” The promo gained immense attention from the fans as they went on social media and skyrocketed the hype for their long-awaited WrestleMania match.

    Fans React to The Spine-Chilling Message by The 8-Time WWE Champion

    The promo has gained immense attention from fans because, in the history of WWE, none of the feuds has received so much hype and attention. Moreover, the Great One’s mic skill is on another level that adds a layer of reality, making the storyline much more realistic.
    Dwayne JohnsonDwayne Johnson
    A clip shared by Public Enemies Podcast (@TheEnemiesPE3) from the Moana actor’s promo gained a lot of attention from the fans on social media.