Dolly Parton has done plenty in entertainment, including albums, movies, TV shows, her own theme park and more, but there is one thing she absolutely will never do: appear on shows like American Idol or The Voice, at least not for an entire season.
“I get asked every season to be on,” Parton tells Taste of Country. Although she seems like she would be a natural on a reality TV talent show, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member has one reason for declining year after year, and it’s a valid one.
“I really have trouble judging people,” Parton concedes. “I would have a lot of trouble telling them yes or no — especially no.”
While Parton is unapologetic about saying no to American Idol and The Voice, she does hint that she might do a show like that in the future, on her own TV network.
“I probably will do something like [American Idol or The Voice] in the future,” Parton hints. “I’m starting my own network. And so I’ll probably be doing different things at different times, and maybe create a show where it could really be positive. Although those are fantastic shows. I love watching it. I would just have trouble being a judge of somebody’s talent.”
“Sometimes I will [be on] as a mentor or something like that,” she adds. “But yeah, I get offers all the time.”
Still, while Parton might never appear on one of the popular talent shows, she is thrilled that contestants continue to use her music during their performances.
“I love the fact that a lot of them do use different songs like ‘I Will Always Love You,’ ‘Jolene’ or ‘9 to 5,'” Parton says. “I hear a lot of my songs on there. That’s a great treat. I just always hate to see them lose, even though I’m very proud of the ones that win, and they deserve it, because the public [votes] on that … But I just feel their little hearts. I hate it when they don’t win.”
Parton is continuing to expand her empire, which includes more items in her Duncan Hines line. The singer, who launched banana and coconut cake mixes and frosting last year, just announced she will soon have cornbread, biscuits and brownie mixes as well.
“I have a real treat for you. Be one of the first to try one of my new Duncan Hines brownie, cornbread and biscuit mixes,” Parton says in a video shared on social media. “They’re gonna be available in stores real soon, but you can get all of the new mixes, along with some other special items, in my baking kit while supplies last.”
Parton will have a star-studded 77th birthday celebration at the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday, January 21, two days after her January 19 birthday. Although she won’t be in attendance for the party, the evening will feature performances by Chapel Hart, The Fairfield Four, Caitlyn Smith, Marty Stuart, and Chris Young, all performing songs from Parton’s Here You Come Again album, appropriately released in 1977.
“We love an Opry party and everyone around the world loves Dolly!” Opry Executive Producer Dan Rogers says. “Though Dolly herself can’t be with us this year due to her feature film schedule, I think we can all agree Dolly deserves to be celebrated this year and every year. We’re going to have some fun Dolly additions to the great schedule of shows lined up for our January run downtown at the Ryman.”
Parton’s baking kit is available for purchase here. Find all of Parton’s music and upcoming appearances at DollyParton.com.
Read ‘Dolly Parton: 11 Things to Know About the Country Music Queen’ here.
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