Reba McEntire Is a Proud Mom of One Son – She Shared a Heartwarming Dance with Him at His Fairytale Wedding

Reba McEntire’s only son found his happily ever after in a stunning Disney World wedding. The country music icon shared a special dance with her son on his special day, a testament to their close bond and dedication Reba poured into raising him with strength, discipline, and humility.

Reba McEntire is a country music legend, known for her powerful vocals, chart-topping hits, and enduring influence in the entertainment industry. However, beyond her music, the star’s most cherished role has always been that of a mother.

Reba McEntire photographed with her son, Shelby Blackstock, in 1994. | Source: Getty Images

In 1990, she welcomed her only child, Shelby Blackstock, with her then-husband, Narvel Blackstock. Now all grown up, Shelby has pursued a successful career as a former race car driver turned The Hartland CEO. In 2022, he reached another major milestone — saying “I do.”

On February 12, Shelby married his longtime love, Marissa Branch, in a fairytale wedding at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. The couple, who had met through Tinder in 2014 but only began dating two years later, saw their love story as a destined journey.

They reflected on how their friends had long recognized their compatibility before they did, revealing, “In retrospect, our mutual friends could see how compatible we are. They would always recommend that we should date. I think we were the only ones who didn’t see it (at the time).”

They continued, “The love was always there; we just didn’t understand it until we were both in the right headspace and had the maturity to recognize it. We both agree that if we had dated immediately upon meeting, we likely would not be as prepared as we are now to deserve one another.”

Marissa described their connection as having an indescribable feeling of déjà vu, as if life had always intended for them to be together. For their wedding, they chose Epcot and the Magic Kingdom, as the parks held deep sentimental value.

A screnshot of Shelby and Marissa Blackstock on their wedding day from an Instagram post dated July 17, 2022. | Source: Instagram/rissablackstock

Marissa’s mother had once worked at Disney, managing the Small World ride, which had been a favorite of Marissa’s grandmother. The bride cherished a photo of them on the ride and wanted to honor her memory.

“She passed away in 2006 at the age of 57, while I was in middle school. She was my rock, and her passing affected me deeply,” the bride revealed.

When Shelby and Marissa first visited Disney together six years before their wedding, they made sure to ride Small World in remembrance. Epcot also played a key role in their relationship — it was where Shelby first told Marissa he loved her and later where he proposed.

A screenshot of Marissa and Shelby Blackstock on their wedding day from an Instagram post dated July 17, 2022. | Source: Instagram/rissablackstock

It felt only natural to hold their nuptials in a place so deeply intertwined with their love story. Their wedding day was further filled with magical moments.

Guests enjoyed cocktail hour and dinner at Epcot’s Rotunda Bistro before moving to Italy Isola for a breathtaking fireworks display. The ceremony took place in the Magic Kingdom after the park had closed for the night.

Marissa, eager for a true fairytale moment, walked down the aisle to “Tale as Old as Time” from “Beauty and the Beast.”

Shelby’s close friend, Tom Ellis, officiated the ceremony, and instead of exchanging vows publicly, the couple opted for a more intimate approach, sharing personal thoughts and feelings during their first look.

A screenshot of Shelby and Marissa Blackstock on their wedding day from an Instagram post dated February12, 2025. | Source: Instagram/rissablackstock

As part of their special day, Marissa planned a heartfelt tribute to her late grandmother. Flower girls walked down the aisle to “It’s a Small World” in her honor, a gesture that brought instant tears to Marissa’s mother once she heard of the plan.

A screenshot of Shelby and Marissa Blackstock on their wedding day from an Instagram post dated February12, 2025. | Source: Instagram/rissablackstock

“Nana will undoubtedly be with us in spirit on the big day […],” Marissa said. Following the ceremony, the couple and their guests celebrated with a uniquely Disney dining experience.

The wedding cake, featuring almond and raspberry buttercream, incorporated 3-D projection mapping with scenes of a flying Tinkerbell and nods to iconic princess weddings. Guests also enjoyed Mickey and Minnie Mouse macarons and the famous Grey Stuff from “Beauty and the Beast.”

Marissa’s bridal attire was just as spectacular — she wore a gown by Galia Lahav for the ceremony and changed into a Balmain dress for the reception, pairing her looks with Christian Louboutin shoes.

Marissa also carried a lace handkerchief that had been gifted to her as a baby, known in her family as the “Magic hanky.” Shelby wore a classic suit from Oak Hall, and their wedding rings were crafted by Vincent Peach.

A screenshot of Marissa and Shelby Blackstock on their wedding day from an Instagram post dated August 12, 2022. | Source: Instagram/rissablackstock

“It can be worn as a bonnet, or for a christening, then saved until your wedding day. With a simple clip of the stitch, poof, it’s something old and something new,” she said. The bride also wore jewelry from both her mother and Reba as her something borrowed and something blue.

A screenshot of Marissa Blackstock on her wedding day from an Instagram post dated August 12, 2022. | Source: Instagram/rissablackstock

Once the reception began, the newlyweds shared their first dance to Kacey Musgraves’ “Butterflies,” setting the tone for the night’s emotional moments. Then, it was Reba’s turn to take the dance floor with her son.

A screenshot of Reba McEntire and Shelby Blackstock during their mother-son dance on his wedding day from a YouTube video dated February 15, 2022. | Source: YouTube/Taste of Country

The country icon and her only child shared a deeply moving mother-son dance to her own 2005 song, “You’re Gonna Be Always Loved By Me.” The song’s lyrics, which express a parent’s unwavering love for their child, made it the perfect choice for the occasion.

Following the big day, Marissa took to Instagram to share snaps of her and her iconic mother-in-law in honor of Reba’s birthday, writing in part, “Happy Birthday to my kind, beautiful, strong, brilliant, supportive, and genuinely fabulous Mother-in-law @reba!”

After tying the knot, the newlyweds held off on any honeymoon plans due to the COVID restrictions at the time but planned on going “somewhere warm” to celebrate their marriage once they could.

In the meantime, they kept dating each other, as Marissa shared, “Never forget the little things that make one another happy. It could be as simple as taking out the trash, remembering how your partner takes their tea/coffee in the morning, or it could be as complex as planning a surprise date night […].”

A screenshot of Marissa and Shelby Blackstock on their wedding day from an Instagram post dated August 12, 2022. | Source: Instagram/rissablackstock

Six months after saying “I do,” the new bride took to Instagram to share, “You’ll be in my heart, from this day on, now and forever more. Always. ❤️ Six months as husband and wife; eternity to go! (+ I’m excited!) Forever celebrating the little moments. I love you 3000 🤟🏼.”

In honor of their first anniversary as husband and wife, the pair captioned an Instagram post in part, “‘I love you – and that’s the beginning and end of everything.’ – F. Scott Fitzgerald 2.12.22 One year already… how?”

A screenshot of Shelby and Marissa Blackstock from an Instagram post dated March 9, 2023. | Source: Instagram/shelbyblackstock/ rissablackstock

Looking ahead to what the future holds, Shelby and Marissa were excited for what was to come. They saw marriage as a partnership in tackling whatever life threw their way. More than anything, they were eager to build a family and create a legacy together.

A Mother’s Love, Strength, and the Values She Passed Down

Reba has always been immensely proud of the man Shelby has become. She raised him with the same strong values she learned growing up in Chockie, Oklahoma, ensuring that he grew up grounded despite the privileges of being her son.

Reba McEntire and Shelby Blackstock at the 31st Annual Academy of Country Music Awards on April 24, 1996. | Source: Getty Images

“Mama and Daddy always said to me, ‘If you tell somebody you’re going to be somewhere at a certain time, you show up.’ That’s the way I was raised,” the singer revealed.

“When we would play games or cards, I’d never let Shelby win. 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. So don’t be a little jerk. Don’t be a spoiled brat,'” she added.

A screenshot of Reba McEntire and Shelby Blackstock from an Instagram post dated March 28, 2019. | Source: Instagram/shelbyblackstock

Her efforts paid off, as “a lot of people have told me you would never know [he] had been blessed with the life he was given,” Reba shared.

Shelby excelled in his own career, proving himself as a talented race car driver. He won the GT World Challenge America Overall Championship in 2020, marking a significant milestone in his career.

A screenshot of Reba McEntire and Shelby Blackstock from an Instagram post dated March 28, 2019. | Source: Instagram/shelbyblackstock

While his mother’s name carried weight in the entertainment industry, he forged his own path in motorsports. His dedication to his craft was evident, and Reba couldn’t have been prouder.

“I’m very proud of him. 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,” the country star shared.

A screenshot of Reba McEntire and Shelby Blackstock from an Instagram post dated March 28, 2019. | Source: Instagram/shelbyblackstock

She added, “Shelby is a gift from God to me. 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.”

Raising Shelby while managing a high-profile career was not easy, but Reba made it a priority to be present in his life. She frequently took him on tour, and when she couldn’t, she would fly home after concerts to take him to school in the morning before heading out for her next performance.

Shelby Blackstock and Reba McEntire at the 50th annual CMA Awards on November 2, 2016, in Nashville, Tennessee. | Source: Getty Images

She credited having a great support system, including wonderful nannies, for helping her balance motherhood and her career. Shelby’s father also played an important role in his life.

“His daddy did a great job too,” Reba admitted. Shelby has publicly expressed gratitude for his father’s influence, sharing, “#happyfathersday to this guy! Words can’t describe how much I love you and how much you have impacted my life. Thank you for everything!”

Sadly, Reba and Narvel’s relationship did not have a fairytale ending. After 26 years of marriage, the couple divorced in 2015. She later revealed, “The divorce was not my idea. I didn’t want it in any shape, form, or fashion.”

Reba McEntyre and Norvel Blackstock with their son at the 28th Annual Peoples Choice Awards on January 13, 2002, in Pasadena, California. | Source: Getty Images

“I just thought it was the best thing to take my marbles and go play somewhere else, is what daddy used to always say,” she added. Despite her heartbreak, she wanted everyone involved to find happiness.

Leaning on her faith, she relied on daily prayer to help her move forward. She also found strength in her close-knit group of friends, family, and professional team, all of whom supported her through the transition.

Reba McEntire and Narvel Blackstock with their son at the premiere of “A Walk To Remember” on January 23, 2002, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

Nonetheless, things took a turn for the better for Reba, who shared in December 2023, “I’m happy, I’m in love. My kids are all healthy. My family’s healthy. So I’m happy.”

Reba McEntire onstage during Variety’s Hitmakers Brunch on December 7, 2024, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

From raising her son with strong values to celebrating his milestone wedding, Reba has remained a devoted mother through every chapter of his life. As Shelby and Marissa build their future together, the singer’s unwavering love and influence will always be a guiding force.