Dolly Parton has done just about everything—written iconic songs, starred in beloved films, opened a theme park, and inspired a Broadway musical. But don’t expect her to sit behind a judging table on American Idol or hit the button on The Voice anytime soon. She’s been asked, but for Dolly, it’s a hard pass—and it all comes down to kindness.
"I've been asked to do that a lot of times," Dolly told E! News’ Will Marfuggi in an interview this week. "It's too hard for me. That's why I don't accept it, because I know how sincere everybody is. Even if they're not that good, they believe they are. And I just can't hurt people."
That’s classic Dolly—compassion over critique. While she’s not one for handing out scores or coaching hopefuls week-to-week, Dolly has popped in on both shows before. Fans may remember her guest mentoring stint on American Idol season 7 back in 2008, when contestants sang her iconic songs. She also brought her wisdom to The Voice in 2015 and 2016 as a guest mentor. But long-term judging? Not her style.
Instead, Dolly’s focus is on projects that speak to her heart. She’s gearing up for her Broadway debut—Dolly: An Original Musical is set to open in 2026, telling the story of her incredible life and career. And back home in Tennessee, her beloved theme park, Dollywood, just celebrated its 40th anniversary.
Looking back, Dolly still remembers the nerves she felt the day it opened. “I thought, well, what if they don't [come]? What am I going to do?” she recalled. “Then, I started seeing cars coming in, and I remember how exciting that feeling was when the parking lot filled up. Now it's filling up all the time.”
To her, Dollywood is more than a park—it’s part of the family. “It’s like having a house full of kids,” she said. “Every time something new goes in, it’s like, ‘Oh, we got a new baby.’” That deep sense of pride and care is exactly what makes her such a national treasure.
So while you won’t see Dolly critiquing karaoke versions of “Jolene” anytime soon, you’ll find her exactly where she belongs—building joy, spreading kindness, and making magic her own way.
Source: E! News