Speaker A
I grew up in a very religious family. My granddaddy is a preacher. My mother's very serious about it. And now I just think that through God all things are possible.
Dolly Parton discusses her religious upbringing, personal rebellion, and embracing authenticity to find happiness throughout her life.
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Key Takeaways
- Authenticity and self-acceptance are central to Dolly Parton's happiness and public persona.
- Rebellion against strict upbringing can coexist with respect and forgiveness within family.
- Public perception varies, but embracing honesty about oneself can foster connection.
- Boldness and individuality can empower others, especially women, in their own self-expression.
- Lifelong creativity and personal fulfillment are key goals for Dolly as she ages.
What the video covers
- Dolly Parton grew up in a deeply religious family with a preacher grandfather and a serious mother.
- She rebelled outwardly by wearing makeup, tight clothes, and bleaching her hair, which initially shocked her family.
- Her grandfather eventually forgave her, reflecting a theme of forgiveness and acceptance.
- Dolly acknowledges that some people find her sexy while others find her ridiculous, embracing honesty about her image.
- She understands her persona is heavily made-up and not a 'basic beauty,' but this honesty resonates with many.
- Women do not resent her; instead, they sometimes use her boldness as a way to relate or push back against their partners.
- Dolly plans to continue expressing herself freely, even as she ages, including wearing rhinestones and being a character.
- She aspires to remain productive by writing songs and books, and mentoring others in the business.
- Her goal is to always do what makes her happy and be authentic, regardless of public perception.
- She hopes to be remembered fondly for her enduring spirit and appearance even 100 years from now.
Full Transcript — Download SRT & Markdown
Speaker A
But you rebelled certainly on the outside, didn't you? Well, I did. And when I started wearing makeup and doing, you know, wearing the tight clothes and all that, my mother just about had a heart attack when I first came home with my hair all
Speaker A
bleached. And she said, "It must have been the devil made you wear your hair like that." And I don't know where she got the idea to blame the devil for my hairdo, but she got over it.
Speaker A
She suffered for it, didn't she? My granddaddy, who is the preacher, when I was starting to do The Best Little Chicken House in Texas, I went to him because I would never dream of offending my family in any way. And
Speaker A
he said, "Well, if God can forgive you, so can I." So, how did he know that God had forgiven you?
Speaker A
He didn't. I never heard from him the one other time. Oh. Then we may take it no news is good news.
Speaker A
That's right. I have to try. I had to just kind of settle for that.
Speaker A
You were talking about the fantasy, the theme park of Dolly. For many men, you are a fantasy figure.
Speaker A
Did that mean that you get resentment from women? No, it doesn't. As a matter of fact, like I said to you earlier, some find me sexy, some find me ridiculous. But I find that I have more.
Speaker A
Now, I think it's wonderful that somebody can say that some find me ridiculous. It bespeaks a tremendous honesty.
Speaker A
Well, it is an honesty because, like I said, I can see myself for what I am because I'm not really your basic beauty. I mean, mine is all painted.
Speaker A
Oh, I wouldn't say that.
Speaker A
No, but I mean, you have to understand that I know myself probably better than anybody else. But women do not resent me because the fact that they can say to their husband, if their husband or their boyfriend gets if they get all out
Speaker A
of hand, they can say, "Oh, you don't know. She may be completely bald under that wig. Or you don't know if that's it for real or not." So, they kind of have something to strike back with. And I think
Speaker A
the fact that I have had enough nerve to do some of the things that I've done or look some of the ways that I've looked and wear some of the things that I've worn, I think it
Speaker A
kind of, in some ways, gives some women a chance to say, "Well, if I had the nerve, I would do that." Or, you know, don't get too out of hand because you don't know if any of it's real or
Speaker A
not. So, when you get to the stage of being old Granny Parton, what are you going to do? Are you still going to wear the rhinestones and the—
Speaker A
Probably. Probably if I feel led to. You know, it's kind of like one of those things. I would imagine I'll be quite a character when I'm older. I would love to always be able to just be whatever seems to make me happy, and I would love, love to be able to write
Speaker A
songs and to write books and be sort of like Agatha Christie and always be productive and be an adviser to other people in the business and sometimes learn all I can. But I'm sure I'll be as ridiculous as an old lady as I am as a
Speaker A
young one. I would think they would think that. Somebody said to me once, "What do you want people to say about you 100 years from now?" And I said I want them to say, "Boy, does she ever look good for
Topics:Dolly Partonreligious upbringingpersonal rebellionauthenticityself-expressionwomen empowermentcelebrity imageforgivenesscreativityaging gracefully
