This was lovely, Eleanor! Your love for her is evident. You made me realize that I definitely grew up in a culture that seemed to relish making fun of her in an unhelpful way, and that I've had to unlearn that impulse over the years. I did my undergrad with a man who worships her music and style, and his enthusiasm taught me a lot. It's so easy to jump to "dumb blonde" conclusions, but more rewarding to appreciate her as she is.
Also! Yesterday, I went to Goodwill and found an adorable red skort. When I got to the cash, the woman at the register said, "Are you sure this isn't too short for you?" I'm not going to let this woman Barbara Walters me into submission. Y'all will be seeing my legs this summer!!!!!
I LOVE Dolly! Yes to more Dolly, Eleanor! I remember her being the butt of jokes in the 70s and 80s, but as I got older, I realized, "She's in total control of this!" and admired her gumption and her strength of conviction. She did it her way, and stood her ground. She's a gem, a legend and an awesome role model.
Excellent article - I'd love to read that book, thanks for the rec!
I didn't know much about Dolly Parton at all (country music isn't really a thing where I was from) but one day many many years ago, I heard "I will always love you" and I was floored. Her force of personality is so unique. I love that Sofia Coppola used the song at the end of 'Priscilla'... apparently Elvis wanted to cover it but Dolly Parton said no cos his manager wanted her to sign over half the songwriting rights. She's badass.
VERY interested in more dolly content, I love her - musical and otherwise genius!! Would really love your writing on her politics, because it’s true she avoids direct public statements but her actions and charity work certainly have a specific bent. didn’t realize her husband just passed, so sad!
I love her so much! I also have that book on my coffee table. The other thing I took away from it was the importance of custom tailoring. Her proportions are so extreme, nothing is going to fit her off the rack. Even if she's wearing something simple, like the chambray shirt and jeans she wore for the cover of Halos and Horns, it's still tailored to fit. I was leafing through this on a bad body day when everything I had recently ordered did not fit me and I was feeling like my body was the problem, and it was helpful to be reminded that humans are not supposed to be one size and shape and that body diversity is beautiful. Dolly Parton didn't try to whittle her body into a stick figure. Would she have been as iconic if she had? Doubtful.
I am also always struck by her incredible talent for gracious self-deprecation that kindly makes her critics look like such assholes in comparison. She never rises to take the bait. Zen Master.
yes to more Dolly content!
Seconding!
Third’ing!
She is the definition of iconic. More Dolly!
This was lovely, Eleanor! Your love for her is evident. You made me realize that I definitely grew up in a culture that seemed to relish making fun of her in an unhelpful way, and that I've had to unlearn that impulse over the years. I did my undergrad with a man who worships her music and style, and his enthusiasm taught me a lot. It's so easy to jump to "dumb blonde" conclusions, but more rewarding to appreciate her as she is.
Also! Yesterday, I went to Goodwill and found an adorable red skort. When I got to the cash, the woman at the register said, "Are you sure this isn't too short for you?" I'm not going to let this woman Barbara Walters me into submission. Y'all will be seeing my legs this summer!!!!!
using Barbara Walters as a verb 😂
I went to Dollywood for Christmas a few years ago and it was really magical. She is magic!!!
I don’t like theme parks but I still want to go to this one! haha
Love this!
I LOVE Dolly! Yes to more Dolly, Eleanor! I remember her being the butt of jokes in the 70s and 80s, but as I got older, I realized, "She's in total control of this!" and admired her gumption and her strength of conviction. She did it her way, and stood her ground. She's a gem, a legend and an awesome role model.
Excellent article - I'd love to read that book, thanks for the rec!
Thank you, Sheila!
I loved this deep dive into Dolly's world!
I think we all need to be a bit more like Dolly💕 this was so fun I love deep diving into the process behind such iconic personas
Hell yeah! 🔥
I didn't know much about Dolly Parton at all (country music isn't really a thing where I was from) but one day many many years ago, I heard "I will always love you" and I was floored. Her force of personality is so unique. I love that Sofia Coppola used the song at the end of 'Priscilla'... apparently Elvis wanted to cover it but Dolly Parton said no cos his manager wanted her to sign over half the songwriting rights. She's badass.
VERY interested in more dolly content, I love her - musical and otherwise genius!! Would really love your writing on her politics, because it’s true she avoids direct public statements but her actions and charity work certainly have a specific bent. didn’t realize her husband just passed, so sad!
I love her so much! I also have that book on my coffee table. The other thing I took away from it was the importance of custom tailoring. Her proportions are so extreme, nothing is going to fit her off the rack. Even if she's wearing something simple, like the chambray shirt and jeans she wore for the cover of Halos and Horns, it's still tailored to fit. I was leafing through this on a bad body day when everything I had recently ordered did not fit me and I was feeling like my body was the problem, and it was helpful to be reminded that humans are not supposed to be one size and shape and that body diversity is beautiful. Dolly Parton didn't try to whittle her body into a stick figure. Would she have been as iconic if she had? Doubtful.
I am also always struck by her incredible talent for gracious self-deprecation that kindly makes her critics look like such assholes in comparison. She never rises to take the bait. Zen Master.