Kelly O’Brien – The World’s #1 Dolly Parton Tribute
If you can’t see Dolly Parton herself, the next best thing is Kelly O’Brien — widely
recognised as the world’s most authentic and accomplished Dolly Parton tribute artist.
Endorsed by the Parton family, who have personally seen her show and given glowing
reviews, Kelly is trusted by Dolly Parton Enterprises themselves, having been chosen as
Dolly’s official body double for film. She was also the only UK finalist in #SearchForDolly,
the worldwide casting search for Dolly’s Broadway musical.
Kelly is more than a tribute — she is an illusionist. With a pitch-perfect Tennessee accent, a
soaring soprano voice, and the warmth and sparkle that made Dolly a global icon, she
captures not just the look, but the heart and soul of the Queen of Country. Audiences leave
her shows feeling uplifted, moved, and utterly convinced they’ve been in the presence of
Dolly herself.
An award-winning performer with over two decades on stage, Kelly’s career began in South
Australia, where she won national competitions and appeared on New Faces and Popstars.
Her big break came starring in Germany’s Starlight Express, launching an international career
in television, musical theatre, and live music.
Today, she tours the globe with The Dolly Show — a dazzling, full-scale theatrical concert
with a live band, featuring all of Dolly’s greatest hits from the 1960s to today, including
Jolene, 9 to 5, Islands in the Stream, and I Will Always Love You. Expect powerhouse vocals,
laugh-out-loud comedy, rhinestone-studded glamour, and Dolly’s signature warmth in every
note.
Featured on BBC One, ITV’s This Morning, The Last Leg, Lorraine, Channel 5, Sky,
and in The Times, Daily Mail, and Time Out, Kelly’s uncanny likeness, vocal mastery, and
sparkling showmanship have won her fans and critics worldwide. From the unmistakable
32G bust to the 22-inch waist, and from the soft Southern lilt to the last crystal on her gown
— Kelly O’Brien is Dolly.
TOUR
Kelly currently tours the U.K with her theatre show THE DOLLY SHOW to huge audiences around the U.K and Australia.
Her fantastic team travel the country, from Bournemouth to Blackpool. Her tour started in 2021 and rolls out fifty dates a year. See below for ALL DATES!
She also performs Dolly as a solo for private and corporate clients, as well as in cabaret venues and theatres around the world.
Her piano cabaret shows with Viki Calver (her musical director) at the famous Crazy Coqs cabaret in London’s West End are always a sell-out.
DEAR DOLLY
In 2020 leading fashion and art photographer Alice Hawkins and Kelly met via Instagram, sharing a love of Dolly Parton.
Alice told Kelly about a new book she had been working on for the past eight years and asked if Kelly would like to feature in the book? Kelly jumped at the idea.
Kelly was immediately struck by Alice’s incredible talent. She was even more excited to recreate some of Dolly Parton’s most iconic looks with her for the book.
Alice says: “Spending a weekend at Kelly’s home, capturing her exquisite portrayal and impersonation of Dolly Parton is an experience I’ll always cherish. I want to do it again every year, and I’d love to go on tour with her! She also reminds me of Dolly in many ways in her drive and determination, straight talking, attention to detail. Kelly honours Dolly every time she puts her wig and heels on, and I admire her for it.”
Kelly says: “Our partnership is a beautiful example of how creative minds can come together, inspire each other, and create something truly special that resonates with both their own artistic aspirations and the admiration they have for the subject of their work.”
And in 2023 Alice’s book ‘Dear Dolly’ was published to critical acclaim.
‘Dear Dolly’ is available here –
https://www.baronbooks.co.uk/product-page/alice-hawkins-dear-dolly
