Dolly Parton has been a dominant force in country music for over five decades, and there’s a reason why she’s still at the top. While many celebrities feel compelled to broadcast their political beliefs, Dolly isn’t swayed by trends or pressured into picking sides. When David Wright of ABC’s Nightline tried to nudge her into political commentary during a 2018 interview, he learned what anyone following Parton’s career already knows: she doesn’t play by anyone’s rules but her own.
The interview focused on “9 to 5,” the 1980 film in which Parton starred alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. With its themes of workplace sexism and its relevance in the #MeToo era, the conversation seemed primed for political overtones. Wright, hoping to get Parton to comment on the political landscape, brought up past presidential scandals. But if he thought Parton would be easily baited, he was sorely mistaken.
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“I’m not addressing that. I do not want to get into that,” Parton said firmly, shutting down any hopes of a sensational headline. “Of course I have my own opinions about everybody and everything, but I learned a long time ago, you keep your damn mouth shut if you want to stay in show business. I’m not in politics. I’m an entertainer.”
Parton didn’t just sidestep the question; she bulldozed over it with the grace and strength that has become her hallmark. Her message was clear: she’s not interested in pandering or catering to anyone’s political expectations. And why should she? Dolly Parton’s loyalty is to her fans, not to the divisive game of politics.
Wright, undeterred, pushed further, reminding her that as a role model, she could use her influence to speak out. Parton didn’t flinch. “That’s true. That’s why I don’t go around talking about people. I don’t do politics, so I don’t do any of that,” she responded. “I have a lot of fans out there, and I don’t want to offend anybody.”
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Here’s the thing about Dolly Parton: she knows exactly what she’s doing. Country music leans heavily conservative, yet Parton has long been an icon to the LGBTQ+ community, many of whom hold liberal views. As The Conversation notes, ‘Dolly Parton has many LGBTQ+ fans and has long been considered an enduring queer icon,’ adding to her widespread appeal across different demographics. How has she maintained this delicate balance? By being smart. Dolly knows that you lose half the room when you start spouting political opinions. So, instead of catering to one side, she does what no one else in her position has mastered—she makes everyone feel welcome.
Parton learned this the hard way during the 2016 presidential campaign. When she quipped that both candidates were “nuts” in a CNN interview, she received backlash from Hillary Clinton supporters, even though she hadn’t explicitly endorsed or criticized anyone. This lesson only solidified her commitment to stay out of political crossfire.
But make no mistake: Parton isn’t afraid to speak her mind where it truly matters. She offered powerful advice to women facing discrimination in the entertainment industry and beyond. “You’ve got to really be strong, in the way that a man has always been strong in this world,” she said, acknowledging that while sexism is still alive and well, women are now empowered to confront it. “At least now it’s been brought to the forefront. I think everyone that’s ever been abused in any way should come forward and should be listened to, be heard.”
This isn’t someone shirking her role as a public figure. This woman understands the weight of her influence and wields it wisely. Dolly Parton doesn’t need to shout her beliefs from the rooftops because her actions—both on stage and off—speak louder than any political statement ever could. And that’s precisely why she’s untouchable.
So, to anyone hoping to corner Dolly into a political conversation, don’t bother. She’s got bigger things on her mind—like her legendary music career, her Imagination Library, and continuing to inspire millions of people from all walks of life.
Dolly Parton doesn’t just play by her own rules—she writes them. That’s why she remains, without question, a towering figure in country music and American culture as a whole.
