Reba McEntire’s red locks have always been a defining feature for her, so much so that her team had a say in her hairstyle choices. In her latest book, Not That Fancy, McEntire recounts the time she opted for a shorter haircut that stopped above her jawline. She mentioned that her voluminous hair was so recognizable that fans could identify her just by her outline. Achieving that look wasn’t effortless; it required a lot of hot rollers, teasing, and a significant amount of hair spray.
McEntire had been contemplating a haircut for quite a while, but the thought of altering her iconic hair made her team apprehensive. Eventually, they reached a middle ground: McEntire would go ahead with the haircut, and the new look would be a key element in promoting her 1996 album, What If It’s You. She actually had her hair cut in June, but the album wasn’t due until November. Therefore, she wore a wig until the new hairstyle was officially unveiled, which happened at the Country Music Association (CMA) Awards show.
The album What If It’s You, featuring hit singles like “The Fear of Being Alone” and “How Was I to Know,” outperformed her earlier albums and achieved double platinum status. McEntire remarked that the new hairstyle might seem trivial, but it made her feel more authentic, and her fans appreciated that. She emphasized the importance of trusting one’s instincts and doing what feels right.
Although McEntire has experimented with wigs over the years, her natural red hair is something she cherishes. She expressed her love for her red hair in a 2015 interview with the Dallas Voice, attributing her red hair to her mother and stating how proud she is of it.
Her mother, Jacqueline, passed away in March 2020 at 93 after a fight with cancer. In the preface of Not That Fancy, McEntire disclosed that she lost the desire to sing after her mother’s death. Her mother had always been her motivation for singing. However, after spending time with her family during the COVID-19 pandemic, McEntire regained her enthusiasm for singing and decided to continue performing. She noted that her passion for singing has returned, stronger than ever, and she continues to sing in honor of her mother.
Not That Fancy: Simple Lessons on Living, Loving, Eating, and Dusting Off Your Boots is currently available for purchase wherever books are sold.
