In anticipation of the release of Dolly Parton’s upcoming book, “Behind The Seams,” which offers an in-depth exploration of her iconic fashions throughout the years, from rhinestoned dresses to fringed jumpsuits, the ten-time Grammy winner recently shared her thoughts on the advantages and drawbacks of her glamorous image in an interview with The Guardian.
Parton revealed that while many people initially failed to take her seriously due to her famous image, she remained steadfast in her refusal to change for anyone and focused on her work. “Actually,” she explains, “my look came from a very serious place. That’s how I thought I looked best. Sometimes it worked in my favor, sometimes it worked against me. It took longer for me to gain credibility, but I wasn’t willing to compromise, and I believed that if I had the talent, it would eventually shine through.”
Since the release of her debut country single, “Dumb Blonde,” in 1967, Parton has achieved numerous milestones in her career, including two No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 chart (“Islands in the Stream” and “9 to 5”), 25 No. 1 hits on the Hot Country Songs chart, induction into the Grand Ole Opry and the Country Music Hall of Fame, as well as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 1978, she also received the prestigious Country Music Association’s entertainer of the year award.
Parton further revealed that, particularly as a woman in the music industry during the 1960s and 1970s, she frequently faced dismissive attitudes from industry executives — but she never backed down.
“I would simply say, ‘I believe I have something that can be profitable for all of us, so let’s move past the fact that I’m a woman and focus on what I bring to the table.’ I always knew how to navigate a male-dominated environment,” she recalled, noting her experience growing up with numerous brothers and uncles. “I never used my sexuality to get ahead because, to me, it wasn’t worth it. That approach rarely leads to long-term success.”
She also acknowledged that she encountered instances of sexual harassment along her journey. “Yes, I did, but I always knew how to assert myself without making the other person feel bad. And if that didn’t work, I am strong enough to physically remove myself from the situation,” she disclosed. When asked about pushing back against harassment both in her personal life and her career, she responded, “Both. It’s an uncomfortable position to be in. I was fortunate to always escape before serious assault could occur, but I feel empathy for those who are unable to do so and for those men who display such aggressive behavior.”
Parton’s well-known story of modeling her image after the “town tramp” was also mentioned. Parton shared with The Guardian that her father and grandfather strongly disapproved of her choices, and her grandfather even resorted to physical punishment at times.
“I was willing to endure it,” Parton admitted. “I am very sensitive, and I disliked being disciplined — it always hurt my feelings to be scolded or spanked. However, there are times when you are willing to pay the price if you want something badly enough.”
The wide-ranging interview also touched on Parton’s decision early in her career to avoid delving too deeply into political matters.
“Because you will lose half of your audience,” she stated. “Even within my own family, particularly in the last few years with the divide between Trump and Biden, it has become challenging to have a peaceful family dinner. Especially if alcohol is involved, it can escalate into a heated argument at the table. Don’t become so trapped that being a Republican means you must believe this, and being a Democrat means you must believe that. You aren’t allowed to have any other thoughts. How limiting is that? I have fans who are Democrats, Republicans, and everything in between, and I won’t disrespect any of them because I genuinely care about them all. I am not a Christian who believes I am so superior that I can pass judgment on others. That is God’s job, not mine. So when it comes to politics, I despise it. I hate politics.”
Parton also recently announced a four-part radio series called “What Would Dolly Do?” The series, set to air on Apple Music 1 starting on October 25, features Parton in conversation with co-host Kelleigh Bannen. The first episode will delve into Parton’s iconic image, her career, and her book “Behind the Seams.”
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