Sophia Michaels
Reba McEntire has seen a significant evolution in her style over her forty-year career, particularly regarding her hair, which has become progressively larger as her fame has increased. Her journey in country music began less glamorously, but her fortune changed when music icon Red Steagall discovered her talent at a rodeo in 1974 at just 19. This led to her first album, “Reba McEntire,” released in 1977, paving the way for her illustrious career.
Today, McEntire has released an impressive 58 albums and has been honored multiple times by the Country Music Association, including as “Best Female Vocalist.” Moreover, she has made her mark in acting with her own sitcom and various film appearances, and most recently, she has taken on the role of a celebrity coach on NBC’s “The Voice.”
Alongside her musical achievements, McEntire is known for her vibrant red hair, extravagant hairstyles, and wigs, whether they are hits or misses. From her country-themed curls to her larger-than-life styles, and even her quirky wig from the 2024 Emmys, we will be revisiting some of her less flattering hair moments.
Reba’s curly mullets
Reba McEntire is celebrated as a country music icon alongside legends like Dolly Parton and Loretta Lynn, yet her hairstyles have also garnered significant attention throughout the years. Her fondness for mullets reflects a quintessentially country aesthetic, marrying business and party in one style.
Her mullets have become iconic, often prominently displayed on her album covers. The cover of her 1979 album, “Out of a Dream.” features a striking design highlighting her massive mullet, but arguably her most well-known mullet can be found on the “Reba Sweet Sixteen” album cover. Reflecting on the extent of her big hair, McEntire humorously admitted on “The Drew Barrymore Show” that she questioned her past hair choices.
Her fiery red tresses are as much a part of her brand as her music, a trait she’s cherished since childhood. “I loved my red hair. My mom was a redhead, so I felt she gave me her red hair. I’ve always been very, very proud of it,” McEntire shared with Dallas Voice in 2015.
Reba’s huge hair don’t care
Reba McEntire is known for her larger-than-life personality, and her hair is no exception. She’s always taken her hairstyle to extraordinary heights that would make even 1980s rock stars envious. “My hair was so big back in those days that my fans could recognize me just from my silhouette,” McEntire recounted, emphasizing the amount of effort that went into her hairstyles with hot rollers and copious amounts of hairspray.
Although her voluminous hairstyles were a big hit with fans, they sometimes limited her opportunities in acting, as producers were hesitant to cast someone known for such extravagant hair. Fondly remembering her big-hair era, she now finds it challenging to recreate those styles, despite her stylist’s best efforts. “I can’t get [my stylist] Brett Freedman to get it that high anymore! My good friend Shane Tarleton often encourages me to embrace the big hair again,” McEntire reminisced.
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Reba’s Short Hair Transformation
In 1996, Reba McEntire made a bold choice to drastically shorten her hair, moving from her iconic voluminous look to a much shorter style. This wasn’t an easy decision to make, as her team was hesitant about the change.
Reba explained, “I cut it just because I wanted to, and it took me a long time to talk everybody into it. We had a photo shoot for my album ‘What If It’s You’ in Cancun, where I teased the new look with some beach shots.” However, leading up to the reveal, she had to resort to tricks like wearing a baseball cap with a ponytail and wigs to conceal her new cut until she could debut it at the CMA Awards.
McEntire’s Sitcom Hair Era
Following her new haircut, Reba’s style evolved as she transitioned to her sitcom “Reba.” She experimented with a flatter hairstyle reminiscent of Carol Brady’s look, which didn’t instantly resonate with her.
Reflecting on this period, she shared, “We shot this in LA around 2004. I wasn’t a fan of my flat hair, but it was popular.” Her fans echoed her sentiments, expressing a preference for more volume in their hairstyles, similar to her typical look.
The Notorious Emmy Wig
At the 2024 Primetime Emmys, McEntire turned heads again with another hairstyle choice—this time, a wig that sparked mixed reactions. While wigs are part of her style repertoire, this particular choice left her with a less-than-flattering appearance.
She humorously remarked on her social media, saying, “That’s not a forehead. That’s a 5-head!” Despite the mixed reviews, Reba emphasizes the importance of feeling comfortable in her own skin. She’s learned to assert her preferences to stylists and insists on maintaining her distinct look, stating, “I want them to make me look like me”.
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