Dolly Parton Doesn't Believe She's Famous: 'I Think I'm a Star to Everybody but Me'

Mar. 15, 2025

Dolly Parton for Southern Living.Photo:David McClister/Southern Living

David McClister/Southern Living

Dolly Partonstill can’t believe that she’s, well, Dolly Parton.AsSouthern Living’sJanuary/February cover star in an interviewpublished on Wednesday, Jan. 8, the “9 to 5” singer reflects on the fame she’s achieved through the years.“I think I’m a star to everybody but me,” Parton, 78, said. “I always wanted to be famous, but nobody could have thought of the extent it became. I’ll see a whole wall of my pictures somewhere, and I’ll wonder ‘How did that happen?’ It’s more a joy than a surprise.“Dolly Parton for Southern Living.Dolly Parton for Southern LivingThe"Jolene"singer’s career took off in 1967 when she joined the musical variety showThe Porter Wagoner Show. She replaced Wagoner’s partner Norma Jean and became an immediate hit with audiences. Soon, she would become even more popular than the variety show’s host.She has since become a successful singer-songwriter, actress and businesswoman. Parton has been nominated for two Academy Awards, won 10 Grammy Awards out of her 55 nominations, and evenhas her own theme park, aptly called Dollywood.Parton’s level of fame has only risen through the years. Thesearch for someone to portray her on Broadwayin a musical based on her illustrious career calledDolly: An Original Musicalhas started.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Elsewhere in her conversation withSouthern Living, theSteel Magnoliasactress spoke about the joy of songwriting. “I walk around with a song in my head and in my heart,” she said.There are moments where she will get so caught up in songwriting that Parton will lose her train of thought. “I’ll go into a closet and wonder, ‘Now, what in the hell did I come in here for?' " she said. “There’s nothing that makes me happier than writing a song.“Dolly Parton for Southern Living.Dolly Parton for Southern LivingIn November, Parton toldThe Guardianaboutthe song she was most proud of writing. Though she said she’s “proud of all of them,” a country song from 1971 stood out to her.“I think the one that’s most personal to me is the lil’ ‘Coat of Many Colors,’ because it talks about my mom, my parents, and kind of gives you an insight. It also covers bullying, acceptance and all that.”

Dolly Partonstill can’t believe that she’s, well, Dolly Parton.

AsSouthern Living’sJanuary/February cover star in an interviewpublished on Wednesday, Jan. 8, the “9 to 5” singer reflects on the fame she’s achieved through the years.

“I think I’m a star to everybody but me,” Parton, 78, said. “I always wanted to be famous, but nobody could have thought of the extent it became. I’ll see a whole wall of my pictures somewhere, and I’ll wonder ‘How did that happen?’ It’s more a joy than a surprise.”

Dolly Parton for Southern Living.Dolly Parton for Southern Living

Dolly Parton for Southern Living

The"Jolene"singer’s career took off in 1967 when she joined the musical variety showThe Porter Wagoner Show. She replaced Wagoner’s partner Norma Jean and became an immediate hit with audiences. Soon, she would become even more popular than the variety show’s host.

She has since become a successful singer-songwriter, actress and businesswoman. Parton has been nominated for two Academy Awards, won 10 Grammy Awards out of her 55 nominations, and evenhas her own theme park, aptly called Dollywood.

Parton’s level of fame has only risen through the years. Thesearch for someone to portray her on Broadwayin a musical based on her illustrious career calledDolly: An Original Musicalhas started.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Elsewhere in her conversation withSouthern Living, theSteel Magnoliasactress spoke about the joy of songwriting. “I walk around with a song in my head and in my heart,” she said.

There are moments where she will get so caught up in songwriting that Parton will lose her train of thought. “I’ll go into a closet and wonder, ‘Now, what in the hell did I come in here for?' " she said. “There’s nothing that makes me happier than writing a song.”

In November, Parton toldThe Guardianaboutthe song she was most proud of writing. Though she said she’s “proud of all of them,” a country song from 1971 stood out to her.

“I think the one that’s most personal to me is the lil’ ‘Coat of Many Colors,’ because it talks about my mom, my parents, and kind of gives you an insight. It also covers bullying, acceptance and all that.”

source: people.com