It seems things between Sara Evans and Harry “Jay” Barker are starting to get ugly.
The country singer married the former football player in 2008, one year after she finalized her divorce from Craig Schelske. Evans and Schelske’s relationship made headlines in 2006 when she abruptly left Dancing With the Stars as her marriage crumbled amid allegations of cheating from both Evans and Schelske. The former couple, who wed in 1993, share three kids.
While navigating her divorce, the “A Little Bit Stronger” singer was introduced to Barker, who was going through a split of his own, by her marital counselor.
“He told us he’d never known two people more alike,” Evans told Birmingham magazine in 2015. “He felt we could at least be supportive friends.”
The pair connected via emails and text before hopping on the phone.
“We would get together with our kids as ‘just friends,’” the University of Alabama alum added. “Before long, they told us we should be dating.”
Barker shares four kids with his ex-wife, Amy DiGiovanna.
“She’s my biggest fan and I’m hers,” Barker gushed about Evans at the time. “As great as she is at music, she’s even better at being a mom and wife.”
The duo moved their brood to Alabama after exchanging vows.
“We are truly a family. We don’t think of it as ‘blended’; they are just our kids,” Barker told People in 2011. “But we also understand our roles. If I’m around when Sara’s kids’ father is around, I give him his place as their dad.”
Evans added, “The kids really love each other. It just works. We’re so fortunate.”
After nearly 14 years of marriage, the twosome made headlines when Barker was arrested and charged with felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The booking stemmed from an alleged January 2022 incident in Nashville after he allegedly tried to hit Evans with his vehicle.
While the arrest drew attention to Evans’ August 2021 divorce petition, there were signs of trouble in the pair’s marriage. Scroll through for a timeline of their relationship:
They wed in Nashville on June 14, 2008. Charles Sykes/Shutterstock
Evans and Barker were introduced as they navigated their respective divorces. Courtesy of Sara Evans/Instagram
During a joint interview in 2011, the then-couple revealed they often debated having a baby, which would be their eighth overall. “Having a child together would be a bridge, not just for us, but for our kids,” he said at the time. Chris Pizzello/AP/Shutterstock
"I've always liked Alabama," Evans recalled to Birmingham magazine in 2015 of relocating from Tennessee. "When I lived in Nashville and went to the beach, I loved driving through Alabama. Where we live feels like a small town. People are so friendly here. I have four or five girlfriends who are really close. Our kids all play sports, our families get together and have fun. People think I'm always touring but I'm usually here. I used to take my kids with me on tours — now that they're older, I can't do that.” Evan Agostini/AP/Shutterstock
Evans used to share sweet snaps with Barker via Instagram often. Courtesy of Sara Evans/Instagram
The last trace of Barker on Evans’ social media page is from a February 2021 Instagram Live. The twosome joked around in the 59-minute video shared on her profile. Courtesy of Sara Evans/Instagram
According to court documents obtained by Us the couple separated on April 14. They were reportedly living apart, with Evans noting in the filing that her estranged husband had been living in Alabama for "approximately three months" after the split. Chris Pizzello/AP/Shutterstock
Evans filed for divorce on August 24, 2021, citing irreconcilable differences, Us later confirmed. The singer's complaint also cited "inappropriate marital conduct" on the part of Barker and stated that they had signed an antenuptual agreement after their wedding which will determine the distribution of the couple's assets. Scott Kirkland/Shutterstock
According to the affidavit from the alleged January 15 domestic violence incident, Evans was in the passenger seat of her friend’s car when she allegedly saw Barker “backing up his vehicle at a high rate of speed attempting to hit them but missed.” Following a 12-hold, Barker was released on a $10,000 bond. He subsequently shared a statement via his radio show’s Instagram page. “I am humbled beyond words by the support I have received from friends, supporters and so many in the Alabama family,” he wrote. “To all of you, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for your thoughts and prayers. We all confront challenges in life and my family, and I are facing one now. Unfortunately, headlines and quick-to-publish news stories do not adequately capture the full context and complex fabric of our lives. I love my family dearly and at this difficult time, I respectfully ask for privacy for the sake of my family and especially our kids. In gratitude, Jay Barker. Romans 8:28.” Uncredited/AP/Shutterstock
Us confirmed on June 10 that Barker conceded to a best interest plea after being arrested for an alleged domestic violence incident. He agreed to a misdemeanor reckless endangerment charge and was sentenced to one-year probation, in which he has to forfeit all weapons and complete a 26-week batterers intervention program. Shutterstock (2)
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