Dolly Parton explains why she's putting her music career on hold after tragedy
The 79-year-old country music icon is still mourning the loss of her husband, Carl Dean, who died on March 3 at the age of 82. He and Parton were married for nearly six decades.
During a July 9 appearance on Khloé Kardashian's 'Khloé In Wonder Land' podcast, Parton said her husband's death is keeping her away from music.
'I can't do it right now because I got so many other things that I can't afford the luxury of getting that emotional right now,' she said of the projects she wanted to start but couldn't.
'I'll write something else, though, if it comes. I'm just putting that all on hold,' she added.
Parton's statement comes four months after she confirmed the death of her husband, whom she had been married to since 1966.
'Carl and I spent many wonderful years together. Words can't do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years. Thank you for your prayers and sympathy,' Parton wrote in a March 3 Instagram post.
Four days later, Parton released her newest song, 'If You Hadn't Been There.'
'I fell in love with Carl Dean when I was 18 years old. We have spent 60 precious and meaningful years together. Like all great love stories, they never end,' she wrote on Instagram on March 6.
'They live on in memory and song,' she continued. 'He will always be the star of my life story, and I dedicate this song to him.'
While she won't be writing any new music in the near future, Parton recently celebrated the launch of a new line of Southern-inspired frozen, single-serve meals and sides with Conagra.
She's also slated for a six-show residency in Las Vegas at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace from Dec. 4 to 13 and is releasing her newest book, 'Star of the Show: My Life on Stage,' on Nov. 11.
Parton reveals the secret to her 59-year marriage to Dean
While talking to Kardashian, Parton revealed why her and Dean made such a perfect pair.
'I have to be out in the public and I belong to the public, but I am such a private person and my husband was, as well,' she explained.
Parton joked that they 'were so good for each other because he's a total loner.'
'We could just be in the house all day and say two or three words, didn't matter. Or we could talk all afternoon and lay in bed, talk at night, in the dark,' she continued.
She later opened up about the lengths her husband would go to to avoid attention from her fans.
'My husband did not want to be out there. He never did an interview in his life,' she told Kardashian.
Parton said her fans would see her husband mowing the lawn on his tractor and ask if he was Parton's husband, to which he would reply, 'Do I look like I'd be Dolly Parton's husband?'
She also revealed the moment she knew it was best to keep her husband away from the media.
The year was 1966 and Parton had just won BMI's Song Of The Year — the same year she married Dean.
According to her official website, Parton's song 'Put It Off Until Tomorrow,' which was co-written with her Uncle Bill, won the award.
Parton and Dean married on May 30, 1966. He was 21 and she was 18 at the time.
To celebrate her musical success, Parton said she 'begged' Dean to attend the BMI awards that year — and he did, despite not wanting to.
'He rented a tuxedo. Didn't want to do it,' she said. 'And then when we were leaving that, he started taking (the tuxedo) off, taking off the jacket.'
'And he said, 'Now I want you to do great, but don't you ever ask me to go to another one of these (darn) things because I ain't going,' she added.
'And he never did. And I knew right then that I'm just going to keep him private as best I can,' she continued.
Parton went on to clarify that her husband was 'very proud' of her and they got along so well because they never had anything to fight over.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Yahoo
How Botox went middle-class
Terry Dubrow has been slacking on his Botox. 'I'm between seasons of my TV show, so I will go, 'Meh, I'm not going to go have Botox, I don't care,'' the Southern California plastic surgeon and star of 'Botched' on E! said over Zoom. Subscribe to The Post Most newsletter for the most important and interesting stories from The Washington Post. Recently, however, he has been promoting a new reality spin-off and feeling pressure to look - as they say in the business of facial aesthetics - refreshed. 'I was doing some interviews and going, 'Jeez, people are going to think Terry Dubrow is just letting himself go.' I need to go get Botox, minimum.' Dubrow, who is married to the 'Real Housewives of Orange County' star Heather Dubrow, still remembers a time when talking about Botox was 'verboten': 'Nobody would admit to [using] it.' But that moment has disappeared like a stubborn facial line under a good injector's needle. 'Botox is so ubiquitous,' Dubrow said. 'It's almost like, if you look older, if you don't do Botox, what does that say about you?' 'It's not even about vanity anymore,' he added. 'It's like having agency over aging in a weird way.' Botox has gone from a niche beauty treatment to a blockbuster phenomenon. With medical spas and Botox bars proliferating from city to city, a procedure that was once performed only on the doyennes of the 1 percent, in the secrecy of a plastic surgeon's office, is now accessible to anyone with a few hundred dollars and a dream of line-free skin. 'It's just become something that people do, just like they get a manicure,' said sociologist Dana Berkowitz, who is the author of 'Botox Nation: Changing the Face of America.' 'Obviously it's a little more intrusive or invasive, but it's become so normalized and just so casual ... it's just a routine.' The stats bear this out. A 2024 report from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons shows that U.S. injectors performed more than 9.8 million procedures using neuromodulators (Botox, Dysport, Xeomin, Jeuveau and Daxxify) that year, up 4 percent over 2023, which the organization had dubbed 'the year of Botox.' Compare that with the pre-covid 2019 report, which shows roughly 5 million neuromodulator injections in the U.S. - in five years, demand has almost doubled. 'It's now so normal in American culture that patients mention it as casually as running an errand to the store or post office,' the 2023 report noted, confirming that Botox has become a catchall word for an entire category of products, like Kleenex or Xerox. It wasn't always like this. Berkowitz attributes this current moment to 'the rise of medical spas, the very aggressive marketing from Allergan [Botox's Big Pharma manufacturer], this circulating discourse that Botox is preventative and that seduces younger and younger users.' Now, more and more women - and yes, the 2024 ASPS report states that 94 percent of patients are women, even still - see Botox as a regular part of their overall aesthetic maintenance, like bikini waxes or balayage. 'It's really changed the way we think about how we quote, unquote, treat the appearance of aging on the face,' Berkowitz said. - - - Like practically any beauty trend of the 21st century, you can't talk about Botox without bringing up celebrities. Celebrities are what sculptures probably were to the ancient Greeks: uncannily, gorgeously smooth. Glossy. Lineless. Until recently, an A-lister would never admit to meddling with her looks, maintaining the illusion of her natural aesthetic superiority. But somehow, Botox has crept into the cultural lexicon enough that even the most venerated among us are copping to it. In an interview with Allure magazine in 2022, Kim Kardashian - who, along with her sisters, is often credited-slash-blamed for the rise of plastic-surgery-coded 'Instagram face' - nevertheless insisted that the only invasive treatment she had on her face was 'a little bit of Botox.' It's the same with Lindsay Lohan, who has been the subject of a rolling tide of plastic surgery rumors since she stepped out looking remarkably youthful for the 'Our Little Secret' movie press tour in late 2024. This past May, Lohan did an interview with Elle magazine in which she attributed her flawless complexion to skin care, juicing and pickled beets. Oh, and Botox. 'Everyone does Botox,' said Lohan, who turned 39 this month. There was a time, not too long ago, when accusing a celebrity of using Botox was like calling them out for something sinister. In 2011, a then-25-year-old Megan Fox uploaded a carousel of selfies to her Facebook page in which she grimaced and furrowed, showing off her forehead lines for the camera. It was a response to rumors that the actress had succumbed to the lure of the needle. Fox called the gallery 'Things you can't do with your face when you have Botox.' Flash-forward to March 2024, when Fox sat across from 'Call Her Daddy' host Alex Cooper and broke down her list of cosmetic enhancements, which include multiple breast augmentations, a rhinoplasty, Botox and filler. What happened in between? - - - Most actresses and influencers aren't as forthcoming as Fox - even with a sudden spate of honesty from the Kardashian-Jenners, the Lohan model of deflection still reigns. But Dana Omari says that the reason these women are 'fessing up to Botox is because, 'Now, celebrities can't rely on our total ignorance and so they have to give a little bit of something.' She's referring to wider awareness of the menu of cosmetic treatments, which is thanks in part to social media content like hers. Omari, who has more than 250,000 followers on Instagram, started her account in early 2019 and posts side-by-side photos of celebrities, breaking down the work she thinks they've had done, often wielding the word 'allegedly' to comedic effect. The dietitian and former consultation manager at a medical spa said that notable women - among them the 'Today' show's Jill Martin, dancer Allison Holker and actress Allison Williams - have picked up on the fact that sharing details from their dermatological diaries isn't a liability anymore. 'I think that they are kind of realizing that this makes them more relatable,' Omari explained. 'And Botox is a really safe one [to admit to] because it's not permanent, it's just a little quick injectable, you know?' Reality television has paved the way for this era, from a burgers-and-Botox-themed open house on a 2020 episode of 'Selling Sunset' to the cast of 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' getting Botox (and, controversially, laughing gas) together in the first season, which aired in 2024. 'It's no longer taboo,' Omari said definitively. 'Botox is no longer the thing that people are afraid to talk about. It's more ubiquitous.' The stars of reality shows, from Heidi Montag to Bre Tiesi, have also adjusted our collective eyeballs to the vision of an unmoving face. A 2006 episode of 'The Real Housewives of Orange County,' in which a then-43-year-old Vicki Gunvalson gets Botox for the first time - in her kitchen, while yelling, 'I don't like this' - might as well be a historical newsreel, for how distant that world seems. Case in point: Omari said that in the six years her page has been up and running, she has posted multiple photos suggesting that Taylor Swift may have had subtle work done, including Botox. The first time, her followers were enraged. 'My page was in shambles, it was being reported, it was a miserable day,' she said. Nobody wanted to believe that Swift, 'the girl next door,' would answer the siren call of the syringe, Omari explained: 'The girl next door does not get Botox.' But now that the procedure is so much more mainstream, the response is different. 'I posted her more recently, and while I did get some negative comments, a lot were like, 'Yeah, she's 34, 35,'' Omari said. - - - Botox, which is a purified form of the deadly bacteria Clostridium botulinum, was first approved by the Food and Drug Administration for cosmetic use in 2002. For all of the ways we've acclimated to widespread Botox use, it's easy to forget that it carries risks, including iatrogenic botulism, which is when the toxin spreads beyond the injection site - a rare but potentially life-threatening complication. Like so many paradigm-shifting drugs, Botox was developed to address health concerns; in this case, excessive blinking and strabismus, or crossed eyes. It was approved by the FDA for these ophthalmologic conditions in 1989. Its ability to all but erase wrinkles was a happy discovery, and by the 1990s upscale dermatologists and plastic surgeons were offering off-label Botox services. 'I started my private practice in 1998, and that's pretty much when I started [providing] Botox,' said Doris Day, a dermatologist on New York's Upper East Side with a 270,000-strong Instagram following. 'And in the beginning - we still laugh about it with my patients - I would be so nervous [injecting it]. … I wasn't worried about hurting anyone in terms of their health, but I didn't want to cause a brow droop or other side effects.' Day describes neuromodulators as 'tools to help people age in a youthful, healthy way.' Nonetheless, she disagrees with some of the marketing and the wider discourse surrounding the drug. 'These [pharmaceutical] companies … they train people to start hating their lines,' she said. This causes customers to seek out bargain Botox or, worse, engage in dangerous TikTok trends like 'Backyard Botox.' 'I think it has become so commoditized,' Day continued. 'Every corner salon and med spa and even hair salons are offering it … and then it becomes a race to the bottom in terms of pricing.' And when you go to inexperienced injectors, you get what you pay for, Day warned: 'It's like going to fast-food takeout. You're not going to get the quality.' Carolyn Treasure, who co-founded the New York City-based Botox bar Peachy in 2019, wants to democratize neuromodulators - without compromising on results. 'Botox, or neuromodulators, are getting taken out of the cosmetic bucket and getting integrated into the skin care bucket,' Treasure said. To make the drug more accessible, Peachy - which also has locations in Austin, Chicago and D.C. - offers a flat-rate price of $425 for unlimited units of Xeomin or Jeuveau (brand-name Botox costs $150 more). 'I really wanted to eliminate any perceived trust gap,' Treasure said of the decision to charge customers this way. 'Meaning what Peachy … is recommending to you is absolutely in your best interest based off of your goals, your anatomy, etc.' Treasure credits the 'Zoom boom' for the company's success, as well as Gen Z's openness to - as well as about - aesthetic intervention. 'I feel like Gen Z's take on it is: 'It's your body, do what you want, but just be honest about it. Don't be disingenuous,'' she said. But according to Berkowitz, no amount of honesty or even expanded accessibility can change the fact that the heyday of cosmetic Botox speaks to the underlying, and stubbornly persistent problem, of social inequality. 'If you look at it through that lens, then the story is not a happy one,' said Berkowitz, the 'Botox Nation' author. When wrinkles have become increasingly optional for customers who have the means to eradicate them, 'You wear your social class on your face.' Like the vast majority of beauty standards, it's affluent women who feel most compelled to conform, vs. the relative freedom of their male counterparts. 'The irony is that it's privileged women who feel the weight of their aging bodies most,' Berkowitz said of the pressure to look younger. Berkowitz doesn't judge anyone who avails themselves of Botox, even when studies show that neuromodulators can dampen emotional responses in users, and that expressive faces are actually more likable. 'Women are supposed to look like effortless perfection,' Berkowitz said of the cultural messaging that has led us here. 'I don't want to blame an individual woman for doing what she's been told to do since birth, basically.' Related Content Kamala Harris will not run for California governor, opening door for 2028 run The U.S. military is investing in this Pacific island. So is China. In a stressful human world, 'mermaiding' gains popularity in D.C. area Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Yahoo
Netflix's new comedy series is now streaming — and it could be your next binge-watch
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. It's been a while since Netflix delivered a classic-style sitcom with the potential to become comfort-viewing gold, but that might just change with the arrival of 'Leanne.' The new comedy series stars real-life stand-up favorite Leanne Morgan, who plays a fictionalized version of herself in her first leading TV role. If you're a fan of laugh-track sitcoms packed with Southern charm and quirky family dynamics, this one might be calling your name. The show is now streaming on Netflix and is already stirring up conversation online. It's a familiar setup (recently divorced woman starts over with her chaotic family in tow) but what makes 'Leanne' compelling enough is its throwback vibe and Morgan's natural comedic presence. It feels like something you'd stumble across during a lazy Sunday afternoon and accidentally binge half the season. I have to admit that early reviews have been a little mixed. Some critics called the show 'a reliably nice time' and praised Morgan's 'charming' presence, even saying it 'will have you laughing out loud.' Others, however, weren't as impressed. One reviewer described the first episode as 'bad' and noting that the show 'gets better, in a brain-melting sort of way.' Despite this, I'm fairly confident that no matter what Rotten Tomatoes score 'Leanne' gets, it will probably end up in Netflix's top 10 within the next few days. So, is this comedy the next feel-good hit to add to your watchlist? If you're curious, here's everything to know about the series and what the critics are saying so far. What is 'Leanne' about? Leanne Morgan stars as Leanne, a Southern mom whose life is turned upside down when her husband of 33 years unexpectedly leaves her for another woman. Suddenly navigating life in her 60s, she faces divorce, menopause, and an empty house full of jello salad. With nowhere to turn, she leans on her quirky, loving family, including her free‑spirited sister Carol (Kristen Johnston) and her grown children and grandchildren for support. As she reimagines her daily routine, Leanne explores new friendships, tentative dating, and a potential catering side hustle built on her home‑cooked comfort dishes. What critics are saying about 'Leanne' At the time of writing, 'Leanne' doesn't have a Rotten Tomatoes score yet, but reviews are starting to go live. Although this initial wave of opinions feels quite mixed, the majority lean more positive. In fact, even the negative takes often end on a somewhat positive note. The Hollywood Reporter's Angie Han said: 'Leanne is the TV equivalent of the friend who's never gonna take you out for the craziest night of your life, but who can be relied upon to bring over a bottle of wine and settle into the couch for some cute anecdotes and an occasionally earnest bit of advice. In other words, it's simply a nice hang.' In The AU Review, Peter Gray writes, 'Whether it's Morgan's wile or that the show reminds me of a simpler time of televisual viewing, there's something inherently appealing about Leanne as a show, however conventional it may be.' Collider's Jasneet Singh noted that 'the first couple of episodes, dedicated to setting up exposition, are a little slow and clunky, with some lines coming off a bit more rigid than expected.' However, it seems this comedy just needs some time to settle in. She continued in the review: 'The characters and story eventually find their little groove, flowing smoothly thereafter. Once you make it through that first awkward section, the pacing picks up and the interactions between characters become much more compelling.' And, as the title of the review says, 'Leanne Morgan and Chuck Lorre's charming, relatable Netflix sitcom will have you laughing out loud.' Lucy Mangan from The Guardian doesn't hold back about the show's rocky start: 'It is best to be upfront about these things and say that the opening episode is bad. Worse than you've just assumed when I said 'bad.'' However, she adds that: 'Once your expectations are suitably lowered, it takes on a charm of its own. The colours are bright. The multi-camera format reminds you of happier, simpler times from your youth. Morgan and Johnston are in almost every scene and have comedy chops that can overcome even the most defiantly second- and third-tier writing and reward your viewing investment with glimmers of merriment.' FandomWire's Callie Hanna offers a measured take on Leanne, but does end on a positive note: 'Much like its title character, Leanne is not perfect, not by a long shot. Its characters are fairly basic, you've seen these storylines a million times before, and its frequent refusal to engage with true modernity leaves it unable to fulfill the potential of its premise. 'But funny is funny, and this show is very much funny. It's not anything special, but I could see the full season working very well as a background binge, and sometimes, that's really all you need.' Should you stream 'Leanne' on Netflix? 'Leanne' lands as a sitcom that doesn't shy away from its familiar roots, and it seems to deliver humor and heart in equal measure. Critics recognize its uneven start but agree that the show eventually settles into a rhythm where the cast's chemistry shines through, especially the comedic talents of Leanne Morgan and Kristen Johnston. While the writing may lean on traditional sitcom tropes and occasionally feel dated, many viewers appreciate its nostalgic vibe and straightforward charm. It's not breaking new ground, nor does it aim to, but that's part of its appeal. 'Leanne' also comes with a generous helping of content — 16 episodes, each running around 20 minutes. That makes it especially easy to binge or dip in and out of, depending on your mood. If you're looking for a lighthearted watch with genuine warmth this weekend, 'Leanne' might just be worth adding to your queue. Sometimes, familiar formulas can still deliver enjoyable entertainment. However, if you're not feeling it, see what movies and shows are coming to Netflix in August 2025. 'Leanne' is now available to stream on Netflix. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button. More from Tom's Guide 'Wednesday' season 2 creators share update on potential spinoff Netflix's new crime thriller movie is now streaming 7 top new on Netflix shows and movies to watch this week
Chicago Tribune
a day ago
- Chicago Tribune
Chicago teen rapper Star Bandz performs at Lollapalooza for the first time
Star Bandz, a 17-year-old drill rapper from the south suburbs, performed on the BMI stage Friday evening for her first set at Lollapalooza. She opened with 'End of Beginning' by Djo, who was performing at the same time on the T-Mobile stage on the south end of Grant Park, then played her own song, 'Bigger Better Badder,' which erupted the crowd. Speaking to the Tribune before her concert, Bandz said she was excited and grateful to be performing at the festival. She said just wanted the crowd to rock out, but also be safe. 'I don't want to start no mosh pits, they're kind of dangerous, but I do want them to turn up though, that's gonna make me feel real good,' she said. Bandz, a Sauk Village native, first had a breakout song 'Yea Yea' that was released early last year. The music video was filmed during her birthday party and has been growing in popularity since. The viral moment led her to sign with Priority Records and Capitol Records, which she said was a new thing for her. She ended up missing a lot of school to meet with the record labels. 'It was kind of life-changing,' she said. Even before that, she said she was already gaining recognition, and fans would ask her for pictures in public. She released her debut album, 'Estrella,' late last year. Being from Chicago, the city has had an influence on her music. Bandz said she has taken inspiration from artists from the drill rap scene, including Lil Durk and Chief Keef. She opened for Lil Durk at his birthday party last October. Her music has been defined as drill music, which is often associated with violence and gang activity. She says takes what she's been through in life and puts it into her music and her lyrics. Also, when growing up, she learned what type of music excited people. But Bandz said she hardly listens to drill music. She leans towards melodic rap. Another thing that separates her from most rappers is that she doesn't swear in her rhymes. She knows the type of people who listen to her music. 'My grandma watches me and kids too, I don't want to put out a bad influence, or anything bad on my name,' she said. During her BMI set, she first brought out Chucky WackEm, which excited the crowd, then Sugarhill Ddot, a New York native. Sugarhill Ddot and Bandz performed their viral song 'My Baby,' which has raked in more than 25 million views on YouTube. Bandz also played some of her hit songs like 'Too Many Options' and 'Too Slow,' a song by BabyChiefDoit that she's featured on. She also played two unreleased songs. Some fans danced throughout her entire set. High school friends, Leila Redd, Brenda Brown and Kayla Brown said they've been fans since Bandz released 'Yea Yea.' 'I think she's really young and inspiring for the younger generation, and she got bars, she's next up,' said Kayla Brown, a 19-year-old Chicago native. Bandz said when she was younger, she wanted to be a singer and had an interest in rap music. She would rap along with her favorite artists or rap over instrumentals. Her mom's friend, the rapper Big E, encouraged her, urging her to write raps while she was in the fourth grade, but Bandz didn't get interested for a couple more years. 'He called my mom randomly one day and he was like, 'I'm gonna pick up Star tomorrow and take her to the studio. I just want her to rap her favorite song,'' Bandz said. Four months later, the COVID-19 pandemic struck. Bandz was stuck in the house and started writing a song in her notebook. 'I told my mom to tell (Big E) to come over the next day so we can make the song,' Bandz said. 'He took me to the studio and after I did that I had fun and I just kept doing it ever since.' As her career takes off, Bandz said she has goals. 'I want to get rich, but I want to get a Grammy. Just a trophy for what I do,' she said.
