Photo by Art Strider
The December 13 issue of PEOPLE Magazine names Dolly Parton among its 2021 People of the Year. In addition to an exclusive cover story, Dolly was honored by being featured on one of four different covers of the special issue, alongside TV star Sandra Oh, Olympic legend Simone Biles and National Teacher of the Year Juliana Urtubey. In an article announcing the four cover stars, PEOPLE said,
“Our People of the Year cover stars have all led the way in their fields to help make the world a little bit better. Dolly Parton has always done her part to help others through efforts like her Imagination Library, which to date has given more than 160 million books to kids in need. Early in the pandemic she saw another way to help, donating $1 million to Vanderbilt University Medical Center to support COVID-19 research, which resulted in the Moderna vaccine that became widely available this year.”
In an exclusive cover story, PEOPLE interviews Dolly about her business acumen and highlights her philanthropic efforts. From her slew of business ventures, including a new beauty business and an Emmy-winning production deal with Netflix, to her lesser-seen side as mega-philanthropist, Dolly is busier than ever and shares how she feels about being recognized.
“I have to honestly tell you, I was a little bit skeptical of being put on the cover as one of the People of the Year, because that's a lot of pressure,” Dolly says. “But if I can set an example, then that's great.”
Read Dolly’s cover story online and find Dolly on the cover of PEOPLE Magazine’s 2021 People of the Year, December 13 Issue, available on newsstands.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! As Christmas quickly approaches, we look forward to enjoying everything that makes the holidays special—time with our closest friends and family, delicious home cooking, lights that twinkle like the stars above and hearts filled with the spirit of giving. Dolly wishes everyone an abundance of joy and love during this special time of year and reminds us all to reflect on the true spirit of the season.
“The holiday season is here!” Dolly exclaimed. “The holidays have a way of bringing out the best in each of us…that unconditional love that we give to one another. I call that a ‘Circle of Love.’”
Dollywood welcomes guests to experience the dazzling sights and joyous sounds of Christmas during their annual Smoky Mountain Christmas, happening November 6 through January 2. With over 5 million Christmas lights, an extraordinary fireworks display and award-winning Christmas shows, Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas is an unforgettable experience that is sure to become a family tradition!
Dolly’s Stampede, in both Pigeon Forge and Branson, welcomes families to celebrate the spirit of the season with an amazing Christmas spectacular. This riveting show is filled with festive horse-riding stunts, stirring holiday music, a beautiful live nativity and a four-course holiday feast. Visitors to the Pigeon Forge and Myrtle Beach areas can celebrate the holiday season with a swashbuckling experience, where families will create lasting memories with the Fun, Feast & Adventure of Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show!
Dolly’s Imagination Library recently announced that it will be expanding the award-winning literacy program statewide in Kansas and Kentucky. Every child under the age of five, in both states, will soon be eligible to receive the gift of a free book each month!
Dolly took the stage for her first full show since 2016, performing an hour of her hits during the First Annual Kiss Breast Cancer Goodbye concert. The event was held on October 24, 2021, at the Country Music Hall of Fame’s CMA Theater in Nashville, TN. The star-studded evening of music and celebration was organized to help raise funds for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
Dolly has teamed up with Reba McEntire to release their first-ever duet and music video, a remake of Reba’s 1993 hit song, “Does He Love You.”
Catch the Christmas spirit from the comfort of your own home by gathering the family together to watch Dolly’s star-studded Netflix special, featuring 14 original Dolly songs. The heartwarming, Emmy Award-winning holiday musical, “Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square,” is sure to be a festive family favorite.
“A Holly Dolly Christmas (Deluxe Edition)” is now available to stream! This digital exclusive features three new songs, including one live performance from Dolly’s 2020 CBS Christmas special. Listen now!
The holiday season is a wonderful time of year! No matter where you spend the holidays, you can sense a spirit of joy, hope and love in the air. As Christmastime arrives, take time to reflect on the true reason for the season and appreciate all of the things that make the holidays so special—faith, family, friends and love.
Circle of love, halo of light
When Jesus was born
On that Christmas night
And oh, what a night, that Holy night was
When Bethlehem glowed, in a circle of love
Merry Christmas!
Dolly Parton kicks off the holidays by putting a little extra Christmas cheer in everyone's stockings. Dolly has released a special deluxe edition of her 2020 record-breaking #1 Christmas album, "A Holly Dolly Christmas!”
Now available to stream, this digital exclusive deluxe edition boasts three new tracks, including "Three Candles,” "The Wish Book” and “I Still Believe," from the live performance of the 2020 "A Holly Dolly Christmas" TV Special.
“A Holly Dolly Christmas” Deluxe Edition Track Listing:
Listen to "A Holly Dolly Christmas" Deluxe Edition, now available worldwide on all digital and streaming platforms.
Music legend Dolly Parton helped kick off the “Honor Your Hometown” campaign with a tribute to her hometown of Sevierville, Tennessee. Led by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Ken Burns and Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Marty Stuart, the “Honor Your Hometown” campaign is a non-partisan, all-volunteer campaign to honor hometowns across America. Headlining a roster of over 150 American leaders, including iconic entertainers and community officials, Dolly was one of the first two people approached to take part in the campaign, along with the late Colin Powell.
In Dolly’s tribute to her hometown of Sevierville, Tennessee, she shares her appreciation and affection for the people and culture of the Great Smoky Mountains before singing a chorus of her beloved song, “My Tennessee Mountain Home.”
The “Honor Your Hometown” campaign will continue throughout the next month, with all Americans invited to join the cause and tell a story on social media about their own hometowns. Those who participate in the heartwarming campaign are encouraged to include the hashtag #HonorYourHometown. For more information, visit honoryourhometown.com.
Image provided by Curtis Hilbun
Country music legend Dolly Parton took the stage to perform an hour of her hits during the First Annual Kiss Breast Cancer Goodbye concert, held Sunday, October 24, at the Country Music Hall of Fame’s CMA Theater in Nashville, TN. This was Dolly’s first full show since 2016. She was joined by her long-time musical director, producer and guitarist, Kent Wells, for an intimate hour-long acoustic performance to help raise money and awareness for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Prior to the concert, Dolly shared,
“I am thrilled to be performing some of my greatest hits with my friend Kent for such a worthy cause. Breast cancer has touched every single one of us in some capacity, so I am thankful for Donna Wells asking me to be part of this event. I hope we can raise some good money and help fight this horrible disease, so bring your checkbooks.”
The evening of music and celebration also featured performances from Dennis Quaid, Collin Raye, Linda Davis, Artimus Pyle and Nelson, with special guests Todd and Julie Chrisley.
Dolly’s headlining performance at the inaugural Kiss Breast Cancer Goodbye benefit comes a year after teaming up with Rita Wilson, Jordin Sparks, Sara Evans and Monica for “Pink,” an inspiring ballad with a message of hope for people battling breast cancer. The star-studded song debuted on October 24, 2020, at the Grand Ole Opry, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. A portion of the proceeds from sales of the song goes to Susan G. Komen in support of the mission to save lives from this disease.
