Reba McEntire Believes in Reincarnation and That She’s ‘Been Here Before as a Man’

Actor and singer Reba McEntire is a country music icon who believes in reincarnation. She even feels that she lived life as a man before. While McEntire has acknowledged that sharing such beliefs may not sit well with some of her fans, she’s explained the notion on more than one occasion. Here’s what she’s had to say about it.

Reba McEntire believes she was a man before

When it comes to the afterlife, McEntire revealed she believes she’s already been reborn. “I believe in reincarnation,” the “Fancy” singer told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in 2008. “I believe I’ve gone both ways — that I have been here before as a man.”

At the time, she predicted she would face criticism from people who say that belief doesn’t align with her outspoken Christian faith. To that she said, “I’m sorry, but this is how I live my life, this is what I believe.”

She also provided more details as to what makes her think the way she does, saying she feels like she’s known and spent time with people in her life. “I believe I have spent time with my son, Shelby, before,” she explained. She later added, “Who knows? Maybe I’m part Buddhist.”

Reba McEntire: reincarnation is like recycling

Again in 2020, McEntire told CMT during a game of Rumor Has It that she believes in reincarnation. This time she added that she thinks of it as a kind of recycling.

According to her, the idea somewhat complements her faith — and seemingly doesn’t negate it. “Well, I always thought it was a possibility,” the “I’m a Survivor” singer shared. “And I kinda thought maybe God does believe in recycling too and gave everybody another chance to improve themselves.”  

To the question of whether she believes in reincarnation, she again concluded, “Yeah. I do.”

Reba McEntire thinks some people will deny her faith because she believes in reincarnation

While speaking to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, McEntire shared her belief that some people would say she “can’t be a Christian” if she believes in reincarnation. Still, she said it’s what she believes is true.

But when it comes to her career, she thanks her faith. “My talent is a gift from God,” McEntire explained in that same interview. “I need to use it. If I don’t, I wouldn’t blame Him one bit if he took it away and gave it to someone else.”

As reported by Today, the twice-divorced star said she leaned on her faith following her 2015 split from ex-husband of 26 years, Narvel Blackstock. When adjusting to life after Blackstock — who was also her manager — she said she had to “run it all through God” to get through.

“I had to say, ‘OK big boy, I can’t handle this. This is way over my pay grade — I don’t know what to do,'” she shared. “And I would wait, and He would guide me. And so without my faith, I have no idea where I would be or my career would be, at this time today.”

So, McEntire seemingly trusts in her beliefs, despite what others might think.