On 25 August 2026, the world lost the incredible Dolly Parton – and it is still very difficult for me to put into words just how much she meant to me.
For the past 20 years, I have had the extraordinary privilege of performing as Dolly. What started as a job became a huge part of my life. I have studied her music, her voice, her humour and her story, and was incredibly lucky to meet Dolly herself in 2011 β a moment I will treasure forever.
Dolly was so much more than the rhinestones, the hair and those incredible songs. She was funny, kind, generous, fiercely intelligent and completely unapologetic about being herself. She inspired me both on and off the stage.
Since her passing, performing as Dolly somehow means more than ever. The Dolly Show has always been created with enormous love and respect, but now I feel an even greater responsibility to celebrate her music, her life and the joy she brought to millions of people around the world.
There will never be another Dolly Parton, but I feel incredibly privileged to play a small part in keeping her music and magic alive.
I will always love you, Dolly. β€οΈ
π In Memory of Dolly Parton π
