Press and media

Information, photos and coverage for journalists writing about Kelly O’Brien and The Dolly Show.

For interviews and press enquiries, contact Ben Verinder at Chalkstream on 07717 506378 or benverinder@chalkstreamltd.co.uk.

Kelly O'Brien performing as Dolly Parton

Kelly O’Brien in brief

Short biography (50 words)

Kelly O’Brien is the star of The Dolly Show, a live Dolly Parton tribute concert touring the UK, USA and Australia. Australian-born, she has performed as Dolly since 2007. She is endorsed by the Parton family, has worked as Dolly’s body double for film, and was the only UK finalist in #SearchForDolly.

Longer biography (150 words)

Kelly O’Brien is an Australian-born singer, actress and comedienne, and the creator and star of The Dolly Show. Raised in McLaren Vale, South Australia, she won South Australian Country Vocalist of the Year in 1990, worked in Australian theatre and television then starred as Dinah in Starlight Express in Germany before moving to the UK in 2005.

Kelly has performed as Dolly Parton since 2007. She is endorsed by the Parton family, has worked as Dolly’s body double for film for Dolly Parton Enterprises, and in 2025 was the only UK finalist in #SearchForDolly, the casting search for Dolly’s Broadway musical. She was named the UK’s Official No.1 Dolly Parton tribute at the National Tribute Music Awards in 2015, 2016 and 2017.

Kelly has appeared on BBC One, ITV’s This Morning and Lorraine and Channel 4’s The Last Leg. In 2023 she led #DollyVsMeta, a successful campaign for fair treatment of tribute acts on Facebook and Instagram. Her current show, Decades of Dolly, supports Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

Key facts

  • Full name for credits: Kelly O’Brien
  • Show names: The Dolly Show; current production Decades of Dolly
  • Born: McLaren Vale, South Australia. Based in the UK since 2005
  • Performing as Dolly Parton since 2007
  • Only UK finalist, #SearchForDolly, 2025 (Playbill finalist list)
  • UK’s Official No.1 Dolly Parton tribute, National Tribute Music Awards, 2015–2017
  • Led the #DollyVsMeta campaign, 2023, which changed how Meta treats tribute acts
  • Touring: UK, USA, Australia and Scandinavia
  • Charity: a share of profits from every show goes to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
  • IMDb profile

Stories we can help with

  • Performing Dolly after Dolly: what it means to celebrate Dolly Parton on stage since her death in August 2026.
  • #SearchForDolly: the only UK finalist in Dolly’s own casting search, as her musical reaches Broadway.
  • #DollyVsMeta: how a Dolly Parton tribute took on Facebook and Instagram, and won.
  • Giving back: The Dolly Show’s support for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
  • The craft: two hours of make-up, costumes from dressmakers worldwide, and nearly 20 years of studying Dolly.

Selected coverage

What people say

“The UK’s best Dolly tribute act.”

— Daily Mail, April 2023

“One of the world’s best tribute acts.”

— BBC Press Office, Even Better Than The Real Thing, BBC One, 2018

“Kelly O’Brien transforms into an uncanny Dolly Parton.”

— Katie Prescott, The Times, March 2023

“Fabulous!”

— Frieda Parton, Dolly Parton’s sister, 2025

“Looks, sounds and speaks like Dolly… treat yourself to this seriously fun night out.”

— Time Out, 2015

Kelly O'Brien performing The Dolly Show live onstage

Photos and video

Video: This Morning · The Last Leg · Sky News · Channel 5 News

Photos may be used free of charge for editorial coverage of Kelly O’Brien and The Dolly Show, with the photographer credited.

Contacts

Press: Ben Verinder, Chalkstream. 07717 506378. benverinder@chalkstreamltd.co.uk