For a woman who’s spent over six decades on stage, Dolly Parton would seem like a shoo-in for a seat on American Idol or The Voice. Rhinestones, music, and belting choruses? Right up her alley. But the Queen of Country, who has such a devout fanbase that they are actually trying to name the Nashville airport after her, has made it crystal clear: don’t expect to see her handing out critiques on live TV anytime soon.
Despite being courted by both long-running shows, Parton’s politely passed. Why? In true Southern belle fashion, she just can’t bring herself to be the bearer of bad news — even if it’s constructive.
More from SheKnows
“It’s too hard for me,” she told E! News earlier this week. “That’s why I don’t accept it, because I know how sincere everybody is. Even if they’re not that good, they believe they are. And I just can’t hurt people.”
To be clear, Parton has dabbled in reality singing TV before, mentoring on American Idol in 2008, and showing up on The Voice twice (2015 and 2016). But locking into a judging gig full-time? That’s a no from Dolly, dawg. She knows firsthand how deep creative criticism can cut — and she’s not about to be the one crushing someone’s singing aspirations just because they didn’t have a good audition.
“I don’t punish myself for [making mistakes],” she explained in a 2022 episode of Work Life with Adam Grant, per American Songwriter. “Sometimes the best part of my show is when I mess up… People know I’m human.”
That empathy shows up not just in what she won’t do, but also in how she champions others — especially when the country music world gets a little too gatekeep-y. Case in point? Beyoncé. When news dropped that Queen Bey was going full country for Cowboy Carter, Parton didn’t just cheer her on — she teased that Bey even recorded “Jolene” before the album came out and could not contain her excitement.
“A lot of people don’t realize Beyoncé is a country girl. She’s from Texas,” Parton told KNOX News while referencing Beyoncé’s hit single, “Texas Hold ‘Em.” “I think we belong wherever we can do good, and her song is number one across every chart in the whole world, I think. So, I mean, who can argue with that?”
Whether she’s skipping the judge’s seat or defending fellow queens of the stage, Parton stays true to her roots: warm, wise, and never the one to dim someone else’s shine.
Before you go, click to see 34 Times Dolly Parton’s Fabulous Red Carpet & Onstage Fashion Stole the Show.
Best of SheKnows
Sign up for SheKnows’ Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.