Country star shares the news on TikTok
Reba McEntire has fully recovered from COVID after contracting it while being fully vaccinated. The multi-faceted country superstar shared the news during an at home TikTok livestream (after going viral on the platform when her 2001 hit “I’m A Survivor” became a trend) earlier this week while providing words of encouragement.
“This has been a very hard year and it’s getting rougher again,” she says. “You guys, please stay safe. Wear your masks. Do what you have to do. Stay home. Just stay safe. Stay healthy. It’s not fun to get this. I did get it. [Boyfriend and actor] Rex [Linn] and I got it and it’s not fun. You don’t feel good. We were both vaccinated and we still got it, so stay safe, stay home, and be protected the best you can.”
The upbeat 66 year old country star didn’t divulge any further details or symptoms, but is optimistic about returning to live performing again later this year into early next year.
“I have no idea what [my] plans for next year are. You know, the COVID thing has really hit hard and spikes are going everywhere right now — spikin’ up, and it’s all over the country — this new [delta] variant — so we don’t have an idea. We have plans right now to go back on tour in January, February and March. We have plans with being with Brooks & Dunn at Caesars [Palace in Las Vegas] in December — first two weeks, almost three weeks of December — but we don’t know if that’s going to [happen]. We’re just gonna move forward, keep prayin’ that everybody stays safe and healthy, and wear your mask and just be safe.”
Earlier this week, it was announced that Reba and Brooks & Dunn would return for nine final shows at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace to wrap their nearly seven-year Together in Vegas residency. Since opening in June 2015, the residency has played 82 shows to more than 300,000 fans and continues to receive rave reviews. A variety of ticketing options, including VIP seats with signed merch, is on sale now via Ticketmaster.
In April, she postponed her 2021 arena summer tour to January 2022 for the third time due to the pandemic. The trek was originally set to run spring of 2020, and then pushed to summer 2020 before being delayed to summer 2021. During the TikTok live, she says fans can expect a new show.
“If we get to, hopefully — We’re gonna say when we get to do the tour next January, February and March, it’s going to be more production, more clothes change. It’s going to be some songs we haven’t done in the past tours. So, I’m really excited about it. We were really excited about it last March when we puttin’ it together and then COVID hit. So everybody say special prayers so we can continue to get the music out to you.”
She also confirmed the Dolly Parton duet of “Does He Love You” for an upcoming reworked hits album, and that she’s still trying to reunite the cast of her eponymous sitcom, Reba.
“We’re working on it, guys. We’re really working on the Reba reboot. We just, you know, keep your fingers crossed and say a special prayer and hope we get it done soon.”
Her family also announced that they’re postponing her mother Jacqueline McEntire’s public memorial following her passing last March to cancer. A public memorial was scheduled for Sunday (Aug 8th) in Oklahoma, but now has been postponed due to rising cases in the area.
“If you knew mama, you know she would scold us to pieces for putting on a memorial on her behalf with so many lives in danger of Covid exposure,” the statement reads in part. “If and when we are able to honor our Mama, we will let you know.”
Earlier this spring, she gave fans their first taste of new music in two years with the release of the original song “Somehow You Do,” written by Diane Warren for the feature film Four Good Days. The stunning video, which highlights Reba among a picturesque Southern Californian backdrop, was directed by acclaimed filmmaker Jon Avnet (Fried Green Tomatoes, Risky Business, Black Swan).
In July, she released a 30th anniversary pressing of her 1991 heart-wrenching album, For My Broken Heart, as the Vinyl Me, Please Country Record of the Month. The 10 track album will be available on 180-gram Magenta Galaxy vinyl and features a new tip-on gatefold jacket and listening booklet penned by freelance journalist Natalie Wiener.
