"KFC has always said that the role of the Colonel is bigger than any one person, and that anyone who embodies the Colonel’s spirit of entrepreneurism showmanship is qualified to play the iconic role," KFC told Refinery29 in a statement. "The time has always been right, KFC pairs the right celebrity with the right campaign to make it relatable to our fans. Reba’s charismatic personality, connections to the south and country music, and impressive career made her the ideal fit to be the Smoky Mountain BBQ Colonel.”