We meet Dolly Parton–actress, musical legend and queer icon–in the purple-trimmed suite at the DreamMore Resort just outside her theme park, Dollywood.
Normally this kind of interview, not to mention the trip it involved, would have us anxious and exhausted. Yet Ms. Parton has a habit of disarming anyone. Meeting her feels like meeting an old friend. “I have a brother named David!,” she chirps.
Related: Sir Ian schemes, lesbians sing and Dolly Parton tugs our ‘Strings:’ What to Watch this week
The occasion: the world premiere of Parton’s new Netflix series, Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings, a series of mini-movies based on her life and music. Dolly introduces each episode herself, produces, and turns up to show off her acting chops as well. The series debuts on Netflix November 22.
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We were thrilled to score some time with the grande dame herself just ahead of the red carpet premiere for a little chat.
hayesj
She is just awesome! Love you Dolly!
ScottOnEarth
I don’t know anyone who doesn’t like the incredible Dolly Parton. She is the ultimate gay icon – beautiful, original, talented, smart, bawdy and racy. The foundation of her essence will always be her heavenly, brilliant songwriting. This Netflix series was a brilliant idea and I’m sure it will be legendary, as is Dolly herself.
Celtic
Dolly Parton is one of the most magnificent entertainers we have ever witnessed, female or male. She is so genuine, so unpretentious; so non-judging. I grew up on country, blue grass, symphony and big band. Dolly owns a special star in the crown of life, because she has so openly shared her creative gifts with the world. Thank you, Dolly. You are beyond “superstar”!!
James Hart
Dolly’s a very devout Pentecostal Christian so I think she’s betraying what she really believes; she also has a lot of conservative, Southern fans and that’s why she won’t criticize Republicans or Trump.
TxCudlr
I don’t ever recall her stating her religion. SHE does NOT judge, why r u judging her??? whatever u feel about her, Dolly is playing it VERY smart NOT to criticize ANYONE, in order to keep the vast fan base that she has earned & garnered. She KNOWS that her money comes from different people, levels of people & different regions ALL over the country!!!!! Dolly always looks for the good in people. If there’s something that she doesn’t like, she will put a funny spin on it & STILL say something good about that person. MORE musicians, actors/actresses, politicians, sports players should be MORE like Dolly. EVERYONE should just keep their d*m mouth shut!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
jrex100
James, it’s true Dolly doesn’t criticize her Southern, Pentecostal, or Republican fans; but neither does she criticize her non-Southern, non-religious, non-Republican fans. The point you are missing is that Dolly Parton doesn’t criticize. She encourages, she praises, she inspires.
RyanMBecker
Parton won’t criticize Republicans or Trump because, well, Dolly just doesn’t criticize. She told Oprah that she wasn’t put in this world to judge others. Yes, she is a devout Christian. In fact, she has a little altar in her trailer where she prays daily. But like Jimmy Carter, she exhibits the best of Christianity, and suppresses the worst. Who knows how the two really feel in their hearts? Ultimately, it’s a private matter, but as long as they’re publicly supportive, I support them.
As for Dolly, she’s always been LGBT friendly. I’ve read old interviews where she paid tribute to drag performers, she was an early supporter of marriage equality (she told Oprah, “Why shouldn’t gays suffer like the rest of us?” before giving a serious answer). And she’s done so at the risk of safety. She had to stop performing her Oscar-nominated song, Travelin’ Thru (from the trans-themed movie, TransAmerica) at her concerts after receiving death threats. But that doesn’t stop her from supporting gays when asked.
iminheatlikeacat
Completely agree with tx, jrex and Ryan, but not James. There are LOADS of celebrities that I feel keep quiet on things due to fan bases and how they like to be perceived but when Dolly says, and puts messages across about love and not judging, I truly believe it. And how refreshing in this current climate.
azjeff17
Iconic and has always been cool without even trying.
dinard38
Love, Love, Love Dolly Parton. Love her big personality, big hair (haha), unpretentious (she’ll admit that her style is gawdy, and I love her for that). Always sweet. I know it would be fun to hang with her. 🙂
C_Alan
According to the video, Dolly sees gays as either “sprucing up and being fancy” or drag-queens. That’s for starters.
Has she ever appeared at a Gay Pride parade?
Has she ever appeared at any exclusively-gay event?
There’s a difference between being an ally and maximizing a fan base.
spacecadet
Does she have to have done either of the things you cited in order to be defined as an “ally”? In my opinion, no. She didn’t have to, but she included an episode in her Netflix series that centers on a gay man “who is not sprucing up and being fancy”, but is in a loving, committed relationship with another man, and they have a kissing scene. Aside from that she’s spoken in support of gay people and contributed to the soundtrack of a trans-positive movie. What more would she’s have to do to appease you? Appear on Drag Race?
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
She has always been supportive of the Gays, performing a delicate balance while not offending her core base of country fans. Very few of her generation ever uttered anything even remotely positive about our community. As above told Oprah long time ago supported equality.
She is a unique big brassy musical icon. Appreciate her, there aren’t many like her around any more….
Curtispsf
If any of you haters had bothered to see Episode 2 of her Netflix Series, you would have seen and heard Dolly deliver an opening welcome of love to “My LGBTQ family”. One of the actors in the episode is also (in real life) a non-binary non gender conforming individual. As far as I’m concerned, Dolly has more than earned her “gay” credentials. She is ALL about love and that’s the way it should be.