1) From her dirt-poor Tennessee background (one of 12 children) to 100 million+ records sold, she’s a pop culture institution.
2) Don’t be fooled by the larger-than-life persona, she’s a smart businesswoman with an estimated worth of $650 million. Apart from the rights to her songs, she’s the force behind Dollywood theme and water parks, diners, merchandise, books and more.
IMAGE: Maverick Family Life blog.
3) She can laugh at herself while laughing all the way to the bank, with memorable quotes such as:
“If I hadn’t been a woman, I’d have been a drag queen”,
“The higher your hair, the closer you are to God”,
“It costs a lot to look this cheap”, and
“I’m not offended by all the dumb blonde jokes because I know I’m not dumb… and I know I’m not blonde.”
IMAGE: shop.dollyparton.com
4) Despite the increasingly rabid polarisation of American politics, she’s remained resolutely apolitical, which only increases her broad appeal.
5) Proving there’s still life in the genre, she joined the celeb fragrance game in 2021 with Dolly Parton Dolly Scent From Above EDP.
IMAGE: dollyfragrance.com
As with many in the category, it’s sweet, but Dolly’s undeniable charm must be working on me (it always does). Its fruity-floral aspect (peony, pear, blackcurrant, jasmine) meets the woody depths of sandalwood, patchouli and fir album, underscored by powdery musk, hits the D-spot with its uplifting quality.
In my recent interview with perfumer Gabriela Chelariu, she had this to say about working with the superstar on Dolly Scent From Above EDP.
“Dolly Parton is one of the most gracious people I have worked with. Although I’ve never met her in person, she was deeply involved in developing the fragrance and was precise in what she wanted it to be.
“I refined it until she found the signature she envisioned. I remember every time she wanted another adjustment, she always apologised thinking that she is too demanding. She is very considerate and has a lot of respect for the creative process, being a creative force herself.”
*This isn’t no April Fool’s joke, y’all.
Dolly Scent From Above EDP is available from Scent Beauty.