Dolly Parton Reveals She Was ‘Whipped’ by Grandfather over Her Appearance

Country music legend Dolly Parton has opened up about the harsh punishment she endured from her grandfather due to her fashion choices during her youth. In a candid interview with The Guardian, the beloved “Jolene” singer shared details ahead of the release of her new album “Rockstar” and her book “Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones.”

Parton, known for her distinctive and glamorous style, revealed that her fashion inspiration in her younger years came from an unlikely source – the “town tramp.” According to Parton, this was a particular woman in her community who was known for her bold and flamboyant attire.

“She was flamboyant. She had bright red lipstick, long red fingernails,” Parton recalled. “She had high-heeled shoes, little floating plastic goldfish in the heels of them, short skirts, low-cut tops, and I just thought she was beautiful.” Despite the local gossip that labeled the woman as “nothing but trash,” Parton admired her and aspired to emulate her style. “Well, that’s what I’m gonna be when I grow up,” she would retort.

However, this admiration came at a personal cost. Parton disclosed that her grandfather physically punished her for dressing in a way he deemed inappropriate. Despite the physical and emotional pain, she remained steadfast in her fashion choices. “I was willing to pay for it,” Parton confessed. “I’m very sensitive, I didn’t like being disciplined – it hurt my feelings so bad to be scolded or whipped or whatever. But sometimes there’s just that part of you that’s willing, if you want something bad enough, to go for it.”

Parton’s resilience and determination to express herself through fashion, even in the face of severe repercussions, highlight her unwavering spirit and commitment to individuality. As she prepares to launch her album and book, fans will undoubtedly gain deeper insight into the experiences that shaped her iconic persona.