Reba McEntire says a toilet seat cover gifted by her sister keeps the star grounded

Reba told the new issue of People magazine: "My sister Alice, for Christmas one year, gave me a toilet seat cover.

"On the top of the toilet seat, it said, 'The Twinkle,' to let me know I'm not a star - I'm a twinkle. Keeps me grounded."

The singer recently marked 50 years since she signed her first record deal.

Reba recalled it was "scary" to step foot into the music industry, but she was supported by her family and friends every step of the way.

The You Lie hitmaker remembered: "Time flies when you're having fun. Wow, I still see where I was signing the contract 50 years ago ... I had no idea about the music business. I was a rodeo cowgirl; I was a rancher's daughter, and a rodeo brat.

"To get into the music business was scary, leaving all my friends and my family, but I had great people that guided me.

"That was the thing I got out of this whole career - my friends."

Since then, Reba has sold over 75 million albums, bagged 24 number one country hits and claimed three Grammy Awards.

The music legend is now lending her wealth of knowledge and experience to the next generation of singers on season 28 of NBC's The Voice.

The I'm a Survivor performer said: "The biggest piece of advice that I like to give any contestant that's on The Voice is to have fun and make sure you want this as a career because it's a lot of hard work. It's a lot of dedication, it's a lot of commitment, it's a lot of sacrifices.

"So if you want to be a star, well, you've got a long way to go before you become a star."

Even though Reba - who is engaged to her 68-year-old Happy's Place co-star Rex Linn - has "no plans" to retire, she does see herself slowing down.

Reba said: "It could be in 20 years. I think I'll know when it's the time.

"Dolly [Parton] and I talked about that an awful lot when she did the Reba show, and I said, 'Are you going to retire?' She said, 'Why would I? What in the world could I do and have as much fun as what I'm doing in this job right now?'

"I agree with her a hundred percent. Slow down, maybe, but no plans of retiring."