Overview
- Dolly Parton has consistently declined full-time judging roles on 'American Idol' and 'The Voice,' reiterating her unwillingness to critique aspiring artists harshly.
- Parton revealed that her empathy for contestants, even those less talented but deeply sincere, prevents her from accepting such roles.
- Despite turning down multi-million dollar opportunities, she has appeared as a guest mentor on both shows, including 'American Idol' in 2008 and 'The Voice' in 2015 and 2016.
- She is currently focusing on developing her autobiographical Broadway musical, 'Dolly: An Original Musical,' slated to debut in 2026.
- Parton also continues to oversee her Dollywood theme park, which recently celebrated its 40th anniversary, while navigating life after the passing of her husband, Carl Dean, in March 2025.