Dolly Parton Remembers Her First Crush: Johnny Cash Had Her Heart at 13!

Dolly Parton, one of country music’s most beloved icons, has had the pleasure of meeting and working with countless legendary figures throughout her career. But one star, in particular, will always hold a special place in her heart: the Man in Black himself, Johnny Cash.

On a recent appearance on Bunnie XO’s Dumb Blonde podcast, Dolly took a stroll down memory lane to recall the first time she met Johnny Cash, and it was a moment that would forever shape her understanding of what it meant to have “sex appeal.”

The First Encounter: A Teenage Crush

Dolly Parton was just 13 years old when she first laid eyes on Johnny Cash. She vividly remembers the moment when she realized what the term “sex appeal” really meant. In her words, “Johnny Cash was the person that introduced me that night. And Johnny, first time I saw him, that’s when I really, that’s when he was lean and lanky, and that’s when I first realized what sex appeal was. I was 13 years old, it was like ‘Oh!’ It was like, holy moly, what is this?”

It was a moment of pure awe. The young Dolly had no idea how that fleeting meeting would lead to a lifelong bond with Cash and his family. What she did know, though, was that Cash had something magnetic about him—a presence that captivated her from the moment they met.

A Teen Crush Turned Friendship

Parton didn’t just admire Cash from afar; she had a real teenage crush on him. She admits, “I had the biggest crush on him. He had so much magnetism, and I was so young, and I was just beginning to feel those hormones. You know where you feel those things I had never felt.”

But Dolly’s crush on Johnny wasn’t just based on his looks and charm. She found herself drawn to his energy, something she initially thought was the essence of his magnetic persona. “Well, he did have all of that movement. Now, I found out later that was because he was coming off drugs. He just had twitches, which I thought was magnetism,” Dolly explained. Even though her perception of Cash’s “magnetism” was slightly misguided, her admiration for him remained unwavering.

Over the years, Dolly continued to express her fondness for Cash. She would often tell him, “You were my first crush,” a sentiment she shared with a warmth that only Dolly could convey.

A Deep Friendship with the Cash Family

Despite the early crush, Dolly’s relationship with Johnny Cash would evolve into a deep and lasting friendship, not just with him, but with his wife, June Carter Cash, as well. Dolly fondly remembers their bond, saying, “He was a real nice guy and very quiet. But I became best friends with June and Johnny after.”

As the years passed, Dolly would often visit the Cash family, and her connection with June grew particularly strong. “She’s a loudmouth like me,” Dolly said with a laugh, highlighting the easy rapport they shared. It was clear that the two women clicked, and Dolly’s memories of those visits are filled with warmth and laughter.

In fact, Dolly recalls a humorous moment when someone asked Johnny if he ever got tired of hearing June talk all the time. Johnny’s reply was quintessentially Johnny Cash: “No, I do some of my best thinking when June’s talking.”

A Lasting Legacy

Dolly Parton’s first crush on Johnny Cash wasn’t just a fleeting teenage infatuation—it was the beginning of a lasting friendship with two of the most influential figures in country music history. Through her words and memories, Dolly continues to honor Johnny and June’s legacy, proving that even the most famous stars can share simple, genuine moments of connection.

For Dolly, Johnny Cash will always hold a special place in her heart—not just as the man who sparked her understanding of “sex appeal” but as a true friend whose memory will never fade.