Thomas Rhett shared insights into his life and marriage this week, revealing that his wife, Lauren Akins, had doubts about his future as a prominent country singer. During the ‘Girls In Low Places’ podcast, Rhett explained that while Lauren recognized his talent, she knew achieving stardom was uncommon. She values simplicity and had always envisioned a simple life.
Lauren’s upbringing was rooted in genuine country life. Rhett recounted how she and her father would stargaze, identifying constellations in the night sky. This reflects the down-to-earth lifestyle she prefers. Rhett and Akins have known each other since first grade. They briefly dated in high school, reconnecting after Lauren graduated college.
They married at 22, and Rhett admits there’s nothing normal about fame. He highlighted the unique challenges, such as avoiding the temptation to bypass lines due to celebrity status. Rhett stated, ‘Fame influences everyone.’ He strives for normalcy, something his wife consistently desires, and they continue to live simply.
Rhett’s career surged between 2017 and 2019. He confessed to becoming accustomed to his fame, though not always in a positive way. The adrenaline of performing for large audiences is irreplaceable, making it difficult for him to find satisfaction in mundane situations.
He practices staying calm, which he finds challenging. Rhett and Akins share five children: Willa, Ada, Lennon, Lillie, and Brave. Balancing ‘super dad’ duties with late-night concerts can be taxing on him.
In terms of marriage advice, Rhett stresses the importance of continued dating. ‘It becomes harder with kids because they demand full-time attention,’ he explained. Recently, he and his wife managed to spend time alone in London before reuniting with friends. He humorously noted, ‘You leave the kids… because you want to stay married.’
Previously, Rhett revealed that early fame felt like living a double life, straining his marriage. On Sadie Robertson Huff’s podcast, he shared how outwardly appearing spiritual while struggling inside caused a rift. He received significant affirmation at his fame’s peak but acknowledged he didn’t handle his marriage well during that period.
Reflecting on his marriage, Rhett shared that, despite their commitment to avoiding divorce, he realized that anything remains possible when not addressed. Only in 2020 did he start discovering his true self without fame’s accolades, viewing the pandemic as a crucial turning point. He strives for authenticity in marriage, acknowledging he isn’t perfect.
Brie Stimson, based in Los Angeles, writes about entertainment and breaking news for Fox News Digital.