“Dumplin’” is the story of the plus-size, teenage daughter of a former beauty queen, who signs up for her mom’s pageant as a protest that escalates when other contestants follow her footsteps, revolutionizing the pageant and their small Texas town.
Parton, who is an acclaimed songwriter/storyteller and one of the most honored female country performers of all time, contributed newly-recorded collaborations of some of her most popular songs in addition to six new original compositions co-written by Parton and Grammy nominee Linda Perry. Produced by Perry and Executive Produced by Parton, the soundtrack will be released worldwide on Nov. 30 on Dolly Records/RCA Nashville (Sony Music).
The soundtrack’s partial list of exceptional guest vocalists includes Sia, Miranda Lambert, Mavis Staples, Elle King, Alison Krauss, Rhonda Vincent, Danielle Macdonald, and Jennifer Aniston.
The debut track from Dumplin’ Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is “Here I Am” performed by Parton and Sia. The song will be available for download and streaming on Sept. 14. This self-penned song was originally recorded by Parton and included on her Coat of Many Colors album (October 1971). This brand-new recording of “Here I Am” captures Parton and Sia’s striking vocal re-imagination of this classic album cut.
“Dumplin’” stars MacDonald (Bird Box, Patti Cake$) and Aniston (Upcoming Murder Mystery, Horrible Bosses, Marley and Me), in addition to Odeya Rush (Lady Bird, Goosebumps), Dove Cameron (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Liv and Maddie, Descendants), and Harold Perrineau (Claws, Lost). “Dumplin’” is directed by Anne Fletcher (The Proposal, 27 Dresses).
Screenwriter Kristin Hahn wrote the adaptation of Julie Murphy’s No. 1 New York Times bestselling novel of the same name. Producers include A Cota Films and 50 Degrees Entertainment Presentation - Michael Costigan (American Gangster, A Bigger Splash, Brokeback Mountain, Ghost in the Shell), Hahn (The Switch, Cake), Mohamed AlRafi (Above Suspicion, Lying and Stealing), and Trish Hofmann (Gringo, Get On Up). Executive producers are Aniston and Danny Nozell.
The film will be released later this year on Netflix in the U.S. and select international territories, and in select theaters in the U.S.
The #1 New York Times Bestseller, "Dumplin'" is making it's way to the big screen. Adapted from the Julie Murphy novel, the film stars Jennifer Aniston as Rosie Dickson. Australian actress, Danielle Macdonald will take the role of her daughter Willowdean Dickson.
The story unfolds as Willowdean ('Dumplin') signs up for her mom's Miss Teen Bluebonnet pageant. It's an act of protest for the plus-size teenage daughter of the former beauty queen. Things escalate when other contestants follow her footsteps, revolutionizing the pageant and their small Texas town.
It's no coincidence that the main character shares the same name as Dolly Parton's real-life sister, Willadeene Parton. Dumplin' herself is a huge Dolly Parton fan. In fact, in the opening lines of the book, she says the best moments of her life have "started with a Dolly Parton song." The film will include Dolly's music, both well-known hits and all-new songs. At the 2018 grand opening of Dollywood, Dolly spoke about the opportunity to lend her songwriting and composing talents to the new film and complimented the film's encouraging message saying,
"It's really a wonderful and uplifting thing for young girls altogether."
Filmed in Atlanta, GA, and the surrounding areas, "Dumplin'" is directed by Anne Fletcher.
