Still strong!! Reba McEntire recently revealed that she and Kelly Clarkson are very close, although they don’t hang out as often as they used to.

“We’re family,” the 64-year-old, told Us Weekly. “She married my oldest [step] son, Brandon [Blackstock], but we’re also good friends, so that goes a long way — when you can have a good friend as a part of your family.” The ‘Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)’ singer, 36 married Brandon, 42, in 2013. They have two kids together, daughter River Rose, 4, and son Remington, 2.

Kelly Clarkson Reba McEntire
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While both singers have quite the connection, the country artist does reveal that the pair aren’t planning to do any music together in the near future, as they struggle to find the time. “I hope [to record music together],” the Reba alum said. “We don’t have anything planned right now, though. She’s got her boat loaded!”

She added, “We don’t get to spend as much time nowadays as we used to.”

This isn’t the first time that Reba has gushed about her pal, once exclusively telling Closer, “She’s a great gal, big-hearted, and with Kelly what you see is what you get!” she said. “I love her to pieces. She’s been one of my best friends since I met her in 2002.”

Kelly Clarkson Reba McEntire
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The Voice judge also had beautiful words about her mother-in-law at the 41st annual Kennedy Center Honors on December 2, where Reba was an honoree. “Sometimes when we meet our heroes, it doesn’t always pan out how you hope,” the hitmaker said. “But meeting Reba — being friends with her, and eventually becoming family — has been one of the highlights of my life, truly,”

She added, “So thank you so much for listening to me vent as an artist. Thank you so much for comforting me on the phone through my tears, like a friend. And thank you for being a really rad grandma for my kids.”

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