Sara Evans is talking about the music video for her new single "Pride" when she pauses, overcome with emotion as tears well in her eyes. The song is a powerful ode to her own strength after enduring domestic abuse in her marriage to husband Jay Barker and as they've recently reconciled, it's a topic she handles with care."He's watched the video [in which she shows the impact of abuse] with me many times. We show it to people when they come over, and my heart always... Oh, I didn't know I was going to cry," she says with a nervous laugh as she stops to collect herself. "People are going to judge me [for taking Barker back]. 'Why do you feel sorry for him?' But I know what he's feeling-he's feeling shame. But he's also being brave and being like, 'Yeah, that's the truth. I did that.'
Such self-reflection is new for Barker, Evans, 53, says. But it's part of the reason the country star has decided to give their marriage another chance after a turbulent stretch that included what she calls "accusatory" abusive behavior and his January 2022 arrest for alleged assault with a deadly weapon.
Now Evans is speaking publicly about the troubles she's faced in her marriage for the first time as she prepares to release her album Unbroke (out June 7), which chronicles their split and eventual reconciliation. She maintains that she and Barker, 51, have rebuilt a healthy relationship with the help of therapy. "My biggest fear is that people are going to judge me or be angry with me for staying with Jay and not understand the whole story," she says. "I want, more than anything, for them to understand that each marriage is different, each story is different."
This story is from the April 15, 2024 edition of People US.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the April 15, 2024 edition of People US.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Meghan's New Moves
Meghan Markle is heading into spring and summer with a tasty new business venture.
LUCKY TO SURVIVE
YEARS AFTER TRAUMATIC ATTACKS, TWO WOMEN WHO GOT AWAY FORM A HEALING
JON BON JOVI - THE UN BREAKABLE
THE BELOVED ROCKER LOOKS BACK ON HIS BAND'S RUNAWAY SUCCESS AND REVEALS HOW HE'S RECOVERING FROM CAREERTHREATENING VOCAL ISSUES
heartbreak, fury &finding happiness
THE POP SUPERSTAR TELLS ALL ON HER DEEPLY PERSONAL NEW ALBUM THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT
A Field for Healing
Shortly into their two-hour drive to a San Diego soccer tournament, 12-year-old Tommy Mark turned to his mom, Nikki, and began peppering her with questions about the meaning of life.
TIFFANY HADDISH'S PATH TO PEACE
Every morning Tiffany Haddish wakes up and takes stock.
ETHAN HAWKE - PROUDEST DAD ALIVE
FOR HIS LATEST MOVIE, THE FATHER OF FOUR TOOK ON A NEW ROLE: DIRECTING HIS DAUGHTER MAYA
MELANIE LYNSKEY - Hitting Her Stride
Melanie Lynskey has her eyes on the prize-the Nobel Peace Prize.
JACK WAGNER - GETTING WISER & LETTING GO
Every time Jack Wagner steps onto the set of the Hallmark Channel drama When Calls the Heart, he's reminded of a simpler time before technology was so deeply ingrained in everyday life.
HEALING AFTER HER DAUGHTER'S SUICIDE- I'm So Thankful for the Time We Had❜
Simpkins understood the depths of her daughter's long struggle with depression.