Introduction
Country superstar Sara Evans is getting incredibly personal in her new podcast, delving into the journey that led her back to her husband, Jay, after a very public separation and divorce filing in 2021. Their reconciliation, two years in the making, has been a testament to enduring love and hard work.
“We’re so in love,” Evans shares, reflecting on the tumultuous period. She explains that their marriage, like many, faced challenges that were often put on the back burner due to the sheer “chaos of life.” Raising seven children between them, managing demanding careers – Sara touring, Jay with a radio show – left little room to address underlying issues. It wasn’t until the pandemic brought everything to a halt that they truly recognized the need for change.
“Our marriage needs some help,” she recalls realizing, a sentiment echoed by Jay. Their commitment to repair involved intensive therapy, a condition Sara insists on maintaining for the rest of their lives, both individually and as a couple.
Looking back at the divorce filing, Sara reveals a deep regret. “I instantly regretted it,” she admits. “I was never done. The person that files for divorce is not done. You make decisions when you’re caught up in the moment.” For her, Jay is her “best friend,” her “person,” and the romance and passion they share were too strong to abandon. She saw the filing not as an end, but as “a new beginning.”
This journey of love, loss, and rediscovery is mirrored in her upcoming album, “Unbroke,” which she describes as a narrative of a relationship’s “journey of love, a breakdown, a breakthrough, right? A back together.” She eloquently states, “Instead of looking for the one that you can live with, find the one you can’t live without.” For Sara, Jay is unequivocally the latter. Their marriage, she likens to a car needing repair – a repair they’ve successfully completed, and now it’s “driving perfectly again.”
The reconciliation has brought immense joy to their family. “Everybody is so happy because our family is back together,” Sara beams.
Evans attributes her newfound openness and vulnerability to maturity and life experience, recognizing that life is “very nuanced” and full of “so much gray.” Having experienced numerous near-death encounters throughout her life – being hit by a car as a child, a plane crash, falling in a well – she’s channeled this resilience and pain into her music, creating some of her most personal and raw work to date.
She also bravely addresses past challenges, including difficult moments during her first marriage that unfolded during her time on “Dancing With the Stars.” Despite the outward appearance of a soaring career and beautiful family, she was privately navigating intense personal turmoil, eventually having to withdraw from the competition. She credits the support of her brother, who shielded her from negative messages, and the unexpected kindness of fellow country icon Faith Hill, who reached out during that difficult period.
Sara is excited about her new music, including the song “Pride,” which features her daughter Audrey’s acting debut. She expresses immense pride in her children, considering their upbringing her greatest achievement, far surpassing any career accolades.
“Unbroke,” her upcoming album, holds a double meaning. While it directly references divorce, it also speaks to her commitment to continuously work on her marriage. She speaks reverently of Jay as an “amazing father” and a “miracle” in her life, a man who has grown and changed.
Looking ahead, Sara is determined to overcome the challenges female country artists face in radio play, acknowledging the disproportionate representation of male artists. She champions the talent of women in country music, hoping her new work will “push through this barrier” and be heard.
Fans can look forward to more captivating conversations on her podcast, with potential guests including Reba McEntire, Faith Hill, Morgan Wallen, Chris Stapleton, and Keith Urban. Sara Evans is truly living life on her own terms, embracing vulnerability, and sharing her powerful story of resilience, love, and continuous growth.