10 Reasons to Love Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton, America’s sweetheart, did in fact help fund Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine research, making her an integral part of history. However, Parton’s contribution is not her first meaningful philanthropic endeavor. Throughout her career, the Grammy-winning artist has been involved in many game-changing projects. Honoring Parton's 77th birthday, L’OFFICIEL revisits some of her most exciting entrepreneurial, sartorial, and philanthropic moments.

Parton’s 2020 Christmas album did what most artists have failed to do, and that's challenge Mariah Carey for her claimed spot as The Queen of Christmas. On October 2, 2020, the prolific singer-songwriter released A Holly Dolly Christmas, a holiday album complete with features from Michael Bublé, Miley and Billy Ray Cyrus, Willie Nelson, and Jimmy Fallon. Parton also hosted a Christmas special by the same name on CBS, that aired on December 6, 2020, which promised intimate performances by the artist. And even beyond that, the singer also starred in Netflix’s Christmas on the Square flick, which follows a Christmas Carol-like plot and features 14 original songs by Parton.

In 1995, Parton launched the Imagination Library, a book gifting program that mails free books to children who have yet to begin school. The program has sent over 100 million books to children in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and Ireland. Parton started the program in her own hometown of Sevier County, Tennessee. By sending monthly age-appropriate, interesting books, the singer hoped to help each child in the county learn to love reading. The program was such a success that it now sends over 1 million books out to children each month across the world.

Parton’s song “Coat of Many Colors” details her experiences wearing a jacket her mother crafted from a box of rags. Parton sings of how much she loved the multi-colored, unique coat, even though others may not have realized its beauty. The moving ballad pays homage to the singer’s mother and reminds listeners of the beauty one can find in seemingly undesirable objects.

Parton and fellow icon Cher wore incredible coordinated gowns for Cher’s 1978 special Cher… Special. Though every one of Parton’s bedazzled outfits is extraordinary, her feathered, black ball gown is the perfect embodiment of the disco era’s over-the-top glamor. Not to mention Parton won an Emmy for Best Supporting Actress in a Variety or Musical Special for her appearance.

Parton teamed up with Sandy Gallin, her former manager, in 1986 to establish Sandollar Productions. The production company is responsible for producing the popular TV show Buffy the Vampire Slayer, for which Parton is an uncredited producer, and the Netflix anthology Heartstrings, which won a GLAAD media award for its episode “Two Doors Down.”

In 1986, Dollywood, a Dolly Parton-themed amusement park, opened its doors to the public. It is now one of the biggest tourist attractions in Tennessee, drawing millions of visitors each year. The park not only has traditional rides and games, but it also exposes visitors to music native to Parton's home in the Smoky Mountains. Parton herself often makes visits to the park to greet visitors.

Parton’s elaborate outfits often include Western-influenced accents. Cowgirl hats often top off the performer’s elaborate looks. Every year the singer and her wardrobe designer Steve Summer work together to create almost 300 distinct eye catching ensembles, which often feature a plethora of sequins.

For Gucci's Spring/Summer 2019 collection, Alessandro Michelle paid homage to Parton in denim, sending a sleeveless oversize jacket with her likeness on it down the Gucci runway.

While Parton dismisses being a feminist herself, her actions–and music–say otherwise. In the 2019 podcast Dolly Parton's America, host Jad Abumrad speaks with Parton about her lyrics that often tell the stories of women oppressed by their partners or other societal factors. They also open up about Parton's appearance, which notable TV hosts and the public have objectified throughout her career. Parton reclaims agency over her look, saying that she'll display it as she pleases. Beyond this, Parton is a trailblazer for women not only in country music, but music at large, and has been cited by figures from Björn to Nicki Minaj.

Even before Parton herself joined TikTok, her hit “Jolene" became an anthem for redheads everywhere as many users posted videos of themselves to Parton’s song, where she sings of a beautiful woman with “flaming locks of auburn hair.” Currently, #jolene has over 560.6 million views on the app.