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The Unfiltered Truth: 5 Surprising Reasons Why Reba McEntire Wears Wigs

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The question of whether Reba McEntire wears a wig has been a persistent curiosity for decades, second only to the mystery of her boundless energy. As of late 2025, the Queen of Country has made it abundantly clear: Yes, she absolutely wears wigs, and she’s embraced them as a professional tool and a style statement. Her openness about this industry secret offers a refreshing, candid look behind the scenes of a superstar’s demanding career, moving the conversation from speculation to admiration for her honesty.

The iconic, voluminous auburn strands that define Reba's image are often not her natural hair, a fact she has confirmed in recent years, including in her 2023 book, Not That Fancy: Simple Lessons on Living, Loving, Eating, and More. This revelation is not about hiding something, but about managing a demanding schedule that requires constant, flawless presentation, a necessity for a legendary artist who is currently a coach on NBC’s The Voice and continues to tour extensively.

Reba McEntire: A Quick Look at the Queen of Country’s Biography

Reba Nell McEntire is one of the most successful and enduring figures in American entertainment, a true icon whose career spans country music, film, television, and Broadway.

  • Full Name: Reba Nell McEntire
  • Born: March 28, 1955
  • Birthplace: McAlester, Oklahoma, U.S.
  • Genre: Country Music
  • Career Start: Began performing professionally in the mid-1970s. Her breakthrough came in the early 1980s.
  • Key Career Milestones:
    • Released over 29 studio albums.
    • Scored over 40 No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts.
    • Won multiple Grammy Awards, ACM Awards (including Entertainer of the Year), and CMA Awards.
    • Acting Debut: Made her film debut in Tremors (1990).
    • Television Star: Starred in the successful sitcom Reba (2001–2007).
    • Broadway: Starred in Annie Get Your Gun (2001).
    • Current Role: A coach on the reality singing competition The Voice.
  • Nickname: The Queen of Country

The Definitive Answer: Yes, Reba Wears Wigs—And Here’s Why

For years, Reba McEntire's signature fiery red hair—always perfectly styled with incredible volume—was a topic of constant discussion. In a 2019 interview with People magazine, Reba finally put the speculation to rest with a simple, candid admission that has been reiterated in her subsequent public appearances and her memoir.

She stated, "I wear wigs a lot because it's so much easier, and I'm having a blast." This frankness is part of her charm and is a key reason why she remains a beloved figure. The use of wigs for celebrities, especially those with decades of public appearances, is less about deception and more about practicality and hair health.

1. The Time-Saving Convenience Factor

The primary reason Reba opts for hairpieces is pure efficiency. As a touring artist, actress, and television personality, her schedule is relentlessly demanding. Spending hours in a styling chair for every single appearance is simply not feasible. Wigs allow her to skip the "tedious process of styling natural hair" and achieve a flawless, camera-ready look in minutes.

2. Protection from Heat Damage

Constant styling, curling irons, blow dryers, and chemical treatments—all necessary to maintain that iconic volume and color—take a severe toll on natural hair. Reba has been open about using wigs to protect her own hair from the inevitable heat damage and over-styling that comes with a high-profile career. This allows her natural hair to remain healthy underneath.

3. The Evolution of Her Iconic Look

Reba’s hair has undergone several transformations throughout her career. From the sky-high, voluminous styles of the 1980s—a trend shared by contemporaries like Dolly Parton and Dottie West—to the more modern, layered looks, wigs have been instrumental in this evolution. She even regrets one specific '80s style, an early perm, noting the challenges of maintaining it. Wigs allow her to experiment without a permanent commitment, ensuring her look is always fresh for new projects like her role on The Voice.

4. The Demands of Acting Roles

Her acting career, particularly her time on Broadway in Annie Get Your Gun and her hit sitcom Reba, required specific hairstyles for her characters. She confirmed wearing wigs for her Broadway run. For a seamless transition between her personal life, her music career, and her acting commitments, wigs are a necessity to instantly embody different personas without damaging her own hair.

5. Maintaining the Signature Red Color

Reba McEntire is synonymous with her vibrant red hair. While her natural hair color is not the same shade of fiery auburn the public is used to, she has maintained a variation of this color for her entire career. Wigs ensure the color is consistently perfect, vibrant, and requires minimal upkeep, avoiding the constant dyeing and touch-ups that would be required to maintain the exact hue for every performance.

The Truth About Reba’s Natural Hair

While she frequently uses wigs and hair extensions, Reba does occasionally show off her natural hair, especially in more relaxed social media posts and photos. Fans who have followed her career closely know that her natural hair is also a beautiful shade, often styled in a slightly more understated, yet still voluminous, manner. She reportedly revealed her real hair for a CMA performance after keeping her new look a secret by wearing a wig beforehand.

The key takeaway is that Reba McEntire’s use of hairpieces is a sign of professionalism, not vanity. It’s a practical solution for a superstar who needs to look flawless under the spotlight, whether she’s performing a classic country hit, coaching a contestant on The Voice, or promoting her latest book. By being open about her hair secrets, Reba continues to be an authentic and relatable role model for women, proving that even the Queen of Country needs a little help to maintain her crown.

does reba wear a wig
does reba wear a wig

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