Lainey Wilson can’t stop praising her friend and mentor, Reba McEntire. Long before Lainey made her mark on the country music scene, Reba was a source of inspiration. Now that they know each other personally, Lainey leans on Reba for guidance and wisdom.

“I can text Reba and ask, ‘What do you do when this happens? Or when you’re feeling this way?’” Lainey shared. “She willingly sends pages of advice, and it shows why she’s where she is today. People poured into her, and now she does the same. She’s a good woman.”

What impresses Lainey most is how genuine Reba has remained through decades of fame and success. “Even watching old interviews, she’s the same person I had supper with in Los Angeles a few months ago. What you see is what you get. Awards, money, or stardom won’t ever change that, and it’s inspiring to me,” Lainey said.

Lainey also admires Reba’s open-mindedness. “Even though we’re in completely different times, a lot of her struggles back then are the same as mine now. She never makes your questions feel silly. She’s a beautiful person inside and out,” Lainey added.

A Powerful Collaboration: “Trailblazer”

Earlier this year, Lainey teamed up with Reba and Miranda Lambert to release the empowering track “Trailblazer.” Co-written by Lainey, Miranda, and Brandy Clark, the song celebrates the influential women of country music, honoring legends like Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton, and Loretta Lynn, while highlighting the personal histories of these iconic artists.

“I remember thinking this could be a song that a grandmother, daughter, and granddaughter could all relate to,” Lainey said. The song’s emotional impact was clear—both the writers and Reba were moved to tears. “It was perfect. I couldn’t find a flaw,” Reba told Billboard.

Through their friendship and collaboration, Lainey Wilson and Reba McEntire show that inspiration, mentorship, and genuine connection are as important as ever in country music today.