Exclusive: Dolly Parton reveals poignant meaning behind her secret tattoos

Sally Morgan
·3 min read
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NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 16: (EDITORS NOTE: This image has been retouched.) Dolly Parton attends Dolly Parton's Rockstar VIP Album Release Party with American Greetings on November 16, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images for American Greetings) (Getty)

As the Queen of Country and undisputable music legend, she has performed to millions of fans at packed auditoriums all over the globe.

Dolly still loves to perform and has no intention of retiring yet
Dolly still loves to perform and has no intention of retiring yet (Getty)

So when Dolly Parton serenades HELLO! – a captive audience of one (plus her film crew) – at her studio in Nashville, Tennessee, the country music capital of the world, it is one of those surreal pinch-me moments of which dreams are made.

Perched daintily on a golden chair only inches away, her blue and gold ensemble showcasing her petite yet famously fulsome hourglass figure to perfection as she rocks, as only Dolly can, a pair of skyscraper heels, the 4-ft- 11 star suddenly bursts into song with one of her most joyful hits, Bubbling Over.

Dolly is known for her high hair and bubbly personality
Dolly is known for her high hair and bubbly personality (Getty)

"Bubbling over, hmmm, bubbling over, because you love me," she sings in response to a question about her unique 'Dolly sparkle.'

"Everyone needs to be bubbly," she says with a smile that lights up the room. "I think of myself as a happy person. As a child I was kind of wanting to have fun and see what was out there. I was curious and kind of rowdy; one of those kids where nothing was ever enough, I wanted to see more, do more, be more, all of that.

Dolly grew up in Tennessee with 11 siblings
Dolly grew up in Tennessee with 11 siblings (Silver Screen Collection)

"I used to chase butterflies off into the woods and get lost," continues Dolly who grew up in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. "Mum would get mad and have to come and find me.

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"One of my big songs, a number one hit I wrote 50 years ago, was Love is like a Butterfly. Through the years it's been my emblem, and even at my theme park Dollywood, the 'w' part is a butterfly."

Butterflies have a special significance to Dolly
Butterflies have a special significance to Dolly (Getty)

Although she keeps them covered beneath her flamboyant outfits on stage, the global superstar has decorative butterfly tattoos in pastel shades on her body.

"When I first started getting a few little things done, I had a few little tattoos to cover up some scarring," she has said, alluding to her surgical procedures. "If I have to get a scar for any reason, I never can get rid of that purple look. So I thought, 'Well, I'm going to kind of decorate these with some flowers or little butterflies or whatever."

Dolly even has her own theme park
Dolly even has her own theme park (Getty)

Her butterfly symbol now also features in her exciting new venture: on the distinctive bottles of her Dolly Wines collection, which includes a romantic French rose and a prosecco as effervescent as Dolly herself.

"I identify with the sparkling wine," she laughs, adding, "I'm learning a lot about wine now that I'm in the wine business. They're trying to teach me how to be a little more of a connoisseur than I am. The prosecco is made in Italy, the rose is from France. For years people were telling me I should have my own wine, and I guess my music has led me to a place where I could. I'm very proud and excited about it."

For more information about Dolly's new collection, go to Dollywines.com

To read the full exclusive interview, pick up the latest issue of HELLO! on sale in the UK on Monday. You can subscribe to HELLO! to get the magazine delivered free to your door every week or purchase the digital edition online via our Apple or Google apps.

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