In September 2017, country music legend Dolly Parton reunited with her “9 to 5” co-stars, Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, at the Emmy Awards. While they initially received a standing ovation, the mood quickly shifted when Fonda and Tomlin made critical remarks about President Trump. Parton, visibly shocked, avoided the political conversation and attempted to lighten the atmosphere with a joke about herself.
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Despite staying away from politics, Parton faced criticism and negative comments on her social media. A month after the Emmys, she addressed the situation in an interview with PEOPLE magazine, stating that she doesn’t get involved in politics because she is an entertainer. She explained that if all else fails, she resorts to humor, which is exactly what she did that night.
However, questions about her political views, especially regarding President Trump, persisted. During an interview on ABC’s Nightline, the interviewer tried to engage Parton in a political discussion. She responded firmly, explaining that she avoids politics because she has a diverse fan base and doesn’t want to offend anyone. She emphasized that she is not interested in discussing serious political issues and prefers to keep her opinions private to maintain her career in show business.
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Even though Parton explicitly asked not to be questioned about politics, the interviewer mentioned President Trump’s controversial comments recorded on an Access Hollywood bus with Billy Bush. Parton reiterated her stance, stating that she prefers not to address such topics. She acknowledged that she has opinions on various matters but has learned to keep them to herself to remain successful in the entertainment industry.
This incident sparked a broader discussion about whether celebrities should avoid political discourse, particularly after recent award shows. Do you agree with Dolly that entertainers should focus on entertaining and stay out of politics? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Watch her firm response to the reporter in the video below.
