Not wasting any time! Miranda Lambert and Brendan McLoughlin tied the knot in January 2019 after a whirlwind two-and-a-half-month courtship. The nuptials came amid turmoil in the police officer’s personal life stemming from past relationships.
Before the country singer’s wedding to McLoughlin, she was married to Blake Shelton from May 2011 to July 2015. News of his ex-wife’s second marriage came as a shock to the Voice coach. “Blake found [out] about the wedding at the same time as everyone else did,” a source told Us Weekly in February 2019, shortly after Lambert announced her new relationship status.
Shelton, who has since moved on with Gwen Stefani, mentioned to the No Doubt singer that “the timing of Miranda’s announcement of the marriage was certainly curious,” according to an insider. However, “just because Miranda got married in a quickie situation doesn’t change anything for Gwen and Blake.”
McLoughlin has a complicated past too. The New York City police officer got another woman pregnant while cheating on his fiancée, Jackie Bruno, his ex’s mother, Carol Bruno, claimed in February 2019. “[Brendan] tried to deny it and then begged her to stay with him,” she told Us at the time. “She was only going [abroad] for a few months to play [soccer], he was begging her to marry him before she left, even though he knew the girl was pregnant.”
McLoughlin welcomed a son with Kaihla Rettinger in November 2018, days after he met Lambert for the first time.
The Grammy winner previously made headlines for getting close to musician Evan Felker while she was still in a relationship with Anderson East. Two weeks after Lambert split from East in April 2018, Us confirmed that she had moved on with Felker, who was still married to Staci Felker at the time. The duo divorced in August 2018 but later reconciled, welcoming their first child in 2021.
Lambert has a history of moving fast in relationships, but she explained that her pace with McLoughlin was actually beneficial for the duo.
“We didn’t date very long before we got married. And so we sort of got to just really, really, really get to know each other,” she said during a SiriusXM interview in February 2021. “It was just us two with no distraction, at my farm outside of Nashville. And so I was really thankful for it because it made us really strong.”
Scroll to relive Lambert and McLoughlin’s hasty romance, from cheating allegations to a quickie wedding.
Credit: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
Table of Contents
Miranda Lambert and Brendan McLoughlin: A Timeline of Their Whirlwind Romance
Not wasting any time! Miranda Lambert and Brendan McLoughlin tied the knot in January 2019 after a whirlwind two-and-a-half-month courtship. The nuptials came amid turmoil in the police officer’s personal life stemming from past relationships.
Before the country singer’s wedding to McLoughlin, she was married to Blake Shelton from May 2011 to July 2015. News of his ex-wife’s second marriage came as a shock to the Voice coach. “Blake found [out] about the wedding at the same time as everyone else did,” a source told Us Weekly in February 2019, shortly after Lambert announced her new relationship status.
Shelton, who has since moved on with Gwen Stefani, mentioned to the No Doubt singer that “the timing of Miranda’s announcement of the marriage was certainly curious,” according to an insider. However, “just because Miranda got married in a quickie situation doesn’t change anything for Gwen and Blake.”
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McLoughlin has a complicated past too. The New York City police officer got another woman pregnant while cheating on his fiancée, Jackie Bruno, his ex’s mother, Carol Bruno, claimed in February 2019. “[Brendan] tried to deny it and then begged her to stay with him,” she told Us at the time. “She was only going [abroad] for a few months to play [soccer], he was begging her to marry him before she left, even though he knew the girl was pregnant.”
McLoughlin welcomed a son with Kaihla Rettinger in November 2018, days after he met Lambert for the first time.
The Grammy winner previously made headlines for getting close to musician Evan Felker while she was still in a relationship with Anderson East. Two weeks after Lambert split from East in April 2018, Us confirmed that she had moved on with Felker, who was still married to Staci Felker at the time. The duo divorced in August 2018 but later reconciled, welcoming their first child in 2021.
Lambert has a history of moving fast in relationships, but she explained that her pace with McLoughlin was actually beneficial for the duo.
“We didn’t date very long before we got married. And so we sort of got to just really, really, really get to know each other,” she said during a SiriusXM interview in February 2021. “It was just us two with no distraction, at my farm outside of Nashville. And so I was really thankful for it because it made us really strong.”
Scroll to relive Lambert and McLoughlin’s hasty romance, from cheating allegations to a quickie wedding.
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Credit: Ida Mae Astute/ABC via Getty Images; NY Midtown NYPD/Twitter
November 2018
Lambert and McLoughlin met on November 2 when she performed on Good Morning America, according to Radar Online. The Staten Island, New York, native was stationed at the Times Square area, where the ABC morning show is filmed.
Credit: NY Midtown NYPD/Twitter; Allen Berezovsky/WireImage for Fashion Media
November 2018
Three days after meeting the “Tin Man” songstress, the NYPD officer welcomed his first child, son Landon, with Rettinger.
Credit: Courtesy Busy Phillips/Instagram
January 2019
Lambert exchanged vows with McLoughlin on January 26 after quietly dating for nearly three months. The newlyweds kept the news a secret for three weeks.
Credit: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for NARAS
February 2019
“In honor of Valentine’s day I wanted to share some news. I met the love of my life. And we got hitched!” the “House That Built Me” singer announced via Instagram on February 16. “My heart is full. Thank you Brendan Mcloughlin for loving me for … Me.”
Credit: Al Powers for Park MGM
April 2019
The couple attended the opening night of Aerosmith’s Las Vegas residency, Deuces Are Wild, on April 6 with fellow country singer Gwen Sebastian and a male friend.
Credit: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
April 2019
The Nashville Star alum and her hubby made their red carpet debut at the 2019 Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas on April 7. They held tight to each other as she wore a lime-green dress and he sported a classic black suit. Later in the evening, Lambert performed a medley of her hits during the ceremony as Shelton and Stefani watched from the audience.
Credit: BrosNYC/BACKGRID
April 2019
The duo went low-key as they stepped out for a stroll in New York City on April 27. Lambert and her hubby both sported black baseball hats and opted for athleisure ensembles as they walked arm in arm and even stopped to check out some jewelry laid out on a table at one point.
Credit: MEGA
May 2019
Lambert and McLoughlin were spotted outside their NYC apartment waiting for an SUV on May 15, surrounded by a handful of luggage.
Credit: Courtesy of Miranda Lambert/Instagram
May 2019
The “Masterpiece” singer showed off her husband with a rare Instagram photo of the NYPD officer on May 23. In the post, which was part of a larger gallery with photos of two dogs named Smoke and Bandit, McLoughlin held one pup under each arm with a big grin. “They showed up at the farm last week and we’re bringing them to #CMAFest to get adopted,” Lambert captioned the shot. “No vacancy in our Mutt Motel! #FarmLife.”
Credit: Tammie Arroyo / AFF-USA.COM / MEGA
June 2019
The pair enjoyed a date night at Billboard’s Country Power Players event in Nashville on June 4.
Credit: John Shearer/ACMA2019/Getty Images for ACM
June 2019
McLoughlin supported Lambert on June 6 at her annual Mutt March in Nashville, where she opened up for the first time about becoming a stepmother to his son, Landon. “My stepson is amazing,” she told Extra. “I’m loving that whole phase, and I’ve raised a million dogs, so I feel like I’ve got that part of my womanly/motherly thing full, so this is a whole new journey. It’s great. … I was like, ‘Hey, I got the dogs, you got the kid, we can mix and mingle.’”
Credit: LRNYC / MEGA
June 2019
The duo were spotted heading to lunch in NYC and taking advantage of the warm weather. Lambert showed off her toned legs in denim shorts, a white tank top and a Boston Red Sox baseball cap. McLoughlin, for his part, wore a baby-blue T-shirt and khaki shorts.
Credit: LRNYC/MEGA
June 2019
The couple held hands while walking around the Big Apple on June 13, with Lambert rocking her signature cowboy boots.
Credit: INSTAR Images
June 2019
The twosome looked so in love as they ventured out for a meal and some shopping in New York’s West Village on June 28. McLoughlin showed off his ripped biceps in a white tank top that he paired with light-blue shorts and sneakers, while Lambert stunned in oversize sunglasses and a yellow and white polka dot romper.
Credit: Courtesy of Miranda Lambert/Instagram
June 2019
The Pistol Annies member showed off her hubby on Instagram on June 28 with a photo of them posing in front of a sunset on a rooftop. “NYPDA,” she captioned the post, adding a blue heart emoji. In the comments section, she wrote that it’s “ridiculous” how good-looking McLoughlin is and called him a “peach.”
Credit: Broadimage/Shutterstock
July 2019
Lambert cracked a joke about the couple’s race to the altar in a July 2019 interview with Chicago’s 99.5 FM, saying, “They’re not going to let me have eight months off ever again because I get married and do weird s–t.”
Credit: LRNYC/MEGA
July 2019
After moving in together in Nashville, the couple traveled to New York City, goofing off for photographers and even revisiting the Good Morning America set where their romance began, with McLoughlin hugging GMA cohost Robin Roberts.
Credit: MEGA
July 2019
Later in the month, the country star enjoyed Nashville BBQ with McLoughlin and then recorded a video of him doing laundry shirtless. And on July 19, Us Weekly confirmed that McLoughlin was taking a leave of absence from the NYPD, two days before he went shirtless again on vacation in Lake Tahoe, Nevada.
Credit: AFF-USA/Shutterstock
August 2019
Lambert Instagrammed her admiration of McLoughlin again in August, sharing a video of him cooking fried chicken. And when a troll commented on the post to say, “It won’t last,” the singer had the perfect response. “Sure won’t!” Lambert replied. “I’m gonna eat every piece of it! Can’t waste chicken!”
Credit: LRNYC/MEGA
August 2019
Lambert and the cop held hands on August 15 as they walked through New York City alongside Landon, his son from a prior relationship.
Credit: Ed Rode/imageSPACE/Shutterstock
August 2019
The duo stepped out for the ACM Honors and looked picture perfect as they posed for photos on the red carpet. “To my hot date thanks for joining me on this crazy cool journey,” Lambert captioned an Instagram photo of her and her hubby at the time.
Credit: Courtesy of Miranda Lambert/Instagram
October 2019
Lambert shared a touching post on Instagram to mark McLoughlin’s 29th birthday. “Happy Birthday to the man that puts stars in my eyes,” she wrote, adding the hashtag “#foreverandeveramen.”
Credit: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP/Shutterstock
February 2020
Us confirmed in February 2020 that McLoughlin had retired from the NYPD, seven months after taking a leave of absence. After he was spotted working security at her concerts in 2019, Fox News reported that he is now a member of her security team and was seen checking fans’ bags ahead of meet-and-greets at Lambert’s concerts.
Credit: Courtesy of Miranda Lambert/Instagram
October 2020
Lambert shared a sweet tribute to McLoughlin via Instagram for his 30th birthday. “Happy Birthday to my sweet husband,” she captioned the post. “The man I love so much with the most contagious smile. Brendan you are a light. ❤️ (and I love your obsession with cows🐄) #nyc #dreamboat.”
Credit: Vevo
October 2020
McLoughlin made his music video debut in October, starring alongside his wife in her video for “Settling Down.” The Texas native revealed why she asked her husband to be in the video during a live Q&A on YouTube on October 21, saying, “I think we understand why we had him in my video … because he’s really pretty and I needed a video babe and he was there, so I mean, it just worked out.”
Credit: Courtesy Brendan McLoughlin/Instagram
November 2020
“Got my own little Annie Oakley for Halloween… and the other 364 days a year @mirandalambert 🤷🏽♂️😘,” McLoughlin wrote via Instagram on November 2, reflecting on the couple’s cowboy and cowgirl Halloween costumes. “Country life has this city guy smoking ribs, and I’m not mad about it @traegergrills #citygoescountry #fingerlickinggood.”
Credit: Courtesy of Miranda Lambert/Instagram
December 2020
“Merry Christmas y’all!” Lambert captioned an Instagram collage that showed the couple along with 15 of their pets including “Thelma, Louise, Jessi, Bellamy, Delta, Cher, Tequila, Macaroni, Gibson, Leiani, Sophie, Titan, Ellie , Adriana, Sugar Pie & the chickens in Coop De Ville!”
Credit: Courtesy of Miranda Lambert/Instagram
January 2021
The couple celebrated their two-year wedding anniversary. “2 years hitched!! @brendanjmcloughlin #anniversary,” the country singer captioned a gorgeous photo of the couple via Instagram. McLoughlin posted a smiley and heart emoji in the comments.
Credit: Jordan Strauss/AP/Shutterstock
March 2021
Lambert and McLoughlin attended the 2021 Grammys together. The musician won Best County Album for Wildcard, and her husband escorted her to the stage before she accepted the award. She thanked him in her speech.
Credit: Courtesy of Miranda Lambert/Instagram
May 2021
The twosome took the stage in Nashville at the grand opening of Lambert’s Casa Rosa Tex-Mex Bar & Cantina, belting out a rendition of “Summer Nights” from 1978’s Grease.
Credit: YouTube
August 2021
McLoughlin made a cameo in Lambert’s “Tequila Does (Telemitry Remix)” video, showing off his dance moves and summer tan. The couple finished off the party-themed clip with a tequila kiss.
Credit: Courtesy of Miranda Lambert/Instagram
October 2021
Lambert celebrated her husband’s 30th birthday with an Instagram tribute. “Gussied up to celebrate this dream boat today! Happy 30th Birthday @brendanjmcloughlin,” she captioned a slideshow of photos. “I love you so much. I’m so thankful to have you in my life. Cheers to the next 30 years! #30 #HappyBirthday.”
Credit: Courtesy of Miranda Lambert/Instagram
October 2021
The duo crafted the perfect couples costume for Halloween, dressing as Tom Cruise and Kelly McGillis‘ characters from the 1986 movie Top Gun. “Happy Halloween from Charlie and Maverick,” Lambert wrote via Instagram alongside several photos of the pair in matching pilot jackets.
Credit: Courtesy Brendan McLoughlin/Instagram
November 2021
McLoughlin wished his love a happy 38th birthday with a sweet Instagram tribute. “This world became such a better place with you in it,” he wrote. “You are a light for those in the dark, a voice for the ones who can’t be heard and most important of all, you’re the most amazing wife day in and day out. I hope today brings you as much joy as you bring to me daily. Happiest of birthdays @mirandalambert ❤️❤️ I love you.”
Credit: Courtesy Miranda Lambert/Instagram
February 2022
“Spent a few days in the sun with my sunshine. ☀️❤️ #3years💍,” Lambert captioned a compilation of memories from the couple’s trip via Instagram in February 2022.
Credit: Dillon Sherlock/CBS
April 2022
McLoughlin was on hand to support Lambert at the 2022 CMT Music Awards, where her song “If I Was a Cowboy” picked up an honor for Female Video of the Year before performing her hit.
Credit: Ed Rode/AP/Shutterstock
May 2022
“It’s like some kind of Hallmark movie or something,” Lambert teased to CBS News of meeting her husband on the set of GMA. “The redneck from Texas meets this beautiful NYPD officer on the street in New York, but it actually happened that way.”
The “Settling Down” songstress added that McLoughlin “loves” being her muse — and starring in her music videos. “He’s such a ham,” she joked. “I mean, he’s [got] white teeth, blue eyes. … If there’s a camera, he’ll jump in front of it. He’s a very extroverted, outgoing person.”
Credit: Courtesy of Miranda Lambert/Instagram
July 2022
Lambert shared a sweet kiss with her beau in an Instagram photo that kicked off a series of shots showing hikes, sunsets and boating in Montana.
“Meet me in Montana forever,” the “Vice” singer captioned the post, also thanking her pal (and fellow country singer) Gwen Sebastion for the “great hang” and friend Louis Newman for “planning the adventures” that made it the “best summer ever.”
Other photos on the Texas native’s social media page showed how the couple took a trip “out west” for the month of July, starting in Colorado and travelling through Utah, Wyoming and finally Montana.
Credit: Kristina Bumphrey/Shutterstock
August 2022
McLoughlin said that he plans to support his wife throughout her entire Las Vegas residency, which kicks off in September 2022. “Every single night I’ll be watching her do what she does best,” he told Entertainment Tonight. Lambert, for her part, noted that her husband will join her in Sin City as soon as she starts rehearsals. “It’s all coming together daily,” she added
Credit: BauerGriffin/INSTARimages.com/Cover Images
October 2022
“Miranda and Brendan are still going strong,” a source exclusively told Us, noting that the pair have been “inseparable” since tying the knot. “He’s super supportive of her career and is with her every step of the way.”
The insider added: “Not much has changed in terms of them wanting to have a baby, they’re still trying. They would love to have a baby together in the near future.”
Credit: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP/Shutterstock
November 2022
The married couple walked the CMA Awards red carpet together, shortly before Lambert performed a tearful tribute to Loretta Lynn alongside Carrie Underwood and Reba McEntire.
Credit: Courtesy of Brendan McLoughlin/Instagram
November 2022
One night after the 56th annual CMA Awards, McLoughlin took to social media to celebrate his wife turning another year older.
“Another year and another birthday. Happy Birthday @mirandalambert,” he wrote via Instagram alongside a carousel of images of the couple. “It’s always an honor to be called your husband. You’re the most beautiful person inside and out. You have the biggest heart and show it everyday through your love for others and animals. Can’t wait to celebrate many more. Just wanted to say happy birthday
and I love you. ❤️🥳❤️🎂.”
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