Country music icon Dolly Parton pleasantly surprised fans at the Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving Day game in November 2023, not only with her exceptional performance but also with a bold fashion choice that stole the spotlight.
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Dolly, gracing the stage at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, for the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Kickoff Halftime Show, garnered considerable attention by donning a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader outfit, a move that sparked both admiration and criticism. While debates swirled around her attire, Dolly shared in an exclusive interview with PEOPLE that her husband of 57 years, Carl Dean, had his own lighthearted take on the matter.
During the interview, Dolly revealed, “It turned out pretty cool and my husband liked it. He said, ‘Those shorts were a little too short.’ I teased him, saying, ‘Jealous?,’” she joked.
She went on to add, “And I said, ‘They weren’t as short as the other girls!’ He was just being funny. I think he thought — because everybody’s making a to-do over it — he thought, well, maybe you shouldn’t be showing your butt at that age. But anyway, he got a kick out of it too.”
Dolly and Carl Dean have joyously celebrated over five decades of marriage, achieving a remarkable milestone in the world of celebrity relationships. Their extraordinary journey began when they first encountered each other at a laundromat, and notably, their inaugural date unfolded at McDonald’s before they sealed their vows in 1966. Despite their prominence, the couple has maintained a notably private existence, with Carl making only occasional public appearances. Despite the subdued public profile, Dolly has openly acknowledged him as her foremost supporter.
>>READ ALSO: Dolly Parton Reveals That Her Grandfather Was Offended By Her Dress
Reflecting on their enduring connection, Dolly shared in a 2015 interview with Parade, “I married a really good man, a guy that’s completely different from me. He loves to hear about the things I do. I love to hear about the things he does. So we enjoy each other’s company.”
For a more in-depth exploration of Dolly and Carl Dean’s love story, delve into the details below:
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