Reba McEntire talked about her former stepson and ex-husband of Kelly Clarkson, Brandon Blackstock, just one month after his death at 48.
The 70-year-old country legend, who also revealed her engagement, opened up about how his four children – including two with the aforementioned Kelly – are coping on the red carpet of the Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday night.
‘The kids are doing well, they’re all bonding together and hanging out with each other, and taking it one day at a time,’ Reba told Entertainment Tonight.
She continued by saying: ‘We know God’s got this.’
Brandon shared nine-year-old son Remy and 11-year-old daughter River Rose with Kelly in addition to daughter Savannah, 23, and Seth, 18, with his first wife Melissa Ashworth.
Reba was previously married to Brandon’s father, Narvel Blackstock, from 1989 to 2015.
Reba McEntire (pictured presenting at the Emmys on Sunday) talked about her former stepson and ex-husband of Kelly Clarkson , Brandon Blackstock, just one month after his death at 48
Brandon — the ex-husband of Kelly Clarkson, with whom he shared two young children — died of melanoma cancer at the age of 48 on August 7; pictured from left to right in March 2015: Brandon’s father Narvel Blackstock, Reba McEntire, Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock
She also revealed how her son and Brandon’s half-brother, Shelby Blackstock, is handling things as she said he is ‘doing great.’
Brandon had succumbed to his battle with serious form of skin cancer melanoma on August 7.
A rep for his family announced his death at the time as they released a statement which read: ‘It is with great sadness that we share the news that Brandon Blackstock has passed away.
‘Brandon bravely battled cancer for more than three years. He passed away peacefully and was surrounded by family. We thank you for your thoughts and prayers and ask everyone to respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time.’
A few days after stepson Brandon’s death, Reba broke her silence.
On Monday, August 11 the country superstar paid tribute to her former stepson with a comment underneath an Instagram post shared by her son Shelby Blackstock.
‘Very well said Shelby. Yes we will miss him so much,’ the singer wrote alongside various red heart and broken heart emojis.
Meanwhile, at the star-studded event Reba also revealed the big news that she is ready to say ‘I do!’
On Sunday, the country legend quietly confirmed she is engaged to actor Rex Linn, 68, while walking the red carpet.
Rather than make a grand announcement, the couple, who have been dating since 2020, made the revelation after an E! News reporter referred to them as ‘fiancés’ during an interview.
‘The kids are doing well, they’re all bonding together and hanging out with each other, and taking it one day at a time,’ Reba told Entertainment Tonight on Emmys red carpet on Sunday
Last month, Reba broke her silence over her former stepson Brandon’s death; pictured March 2025
On Monday, August 11 the country superstar paid tribute to her former stepson with a comment underneath an Instagram post shared by her son Shelby Blackstock
His half-brother Shelby, 35, posted a heartbreaking tribute to his late brother days after Brandon’s death
According to People, the duo, who star alongside each other on NBC’s Happy’s Place, smiled knowingly and nodded, delighting fans who have been rooting for the pair’s romance for years.
While their relationship only turned romantic five years ago, McEntire and Linn first met back in the 1990s on the set of The Gambler Returns: The Luck of the Draw.
At the time, their friendship didn’t blossom into anything more, but fate brought them back together decades later.
It was in 2020, during one of the hardest moments of McEntire’s life, that Linn stepped in with a gesture of kindness that would change everything.
Reba also revealed that she and Rex Linn are engaged after five years of dating; seen at the 2025 Emmy Awards
‘In 2020, when Mama got sick, he called me,’ the singer recalled on Today in October 2021.
The pair had recently crossed paths again while both were guest starring on Young Sheldon.
‘Starting in March of 2020, we just kept talking and visiting and finally got together, see each other in June,’ she explained. ‘And we’ve been pretty much inseparable ever since.’
