How the industry tried to dismiss Dolly Parton??
Description: She turned “too much” into one of the most recognisable identities in popular culture.
In the days following her death, I wanted to look beyond the rhinestones, the wigs and the jokes and examine how Dolly Parton constructed one of the most powerful personal brands in music , without ever losing the songwriter underneath it.
From leaving Porter Wagoner and establishing herself as a solo artist, to Jolene, Coat of Many Colors and 9 to 5, Dolly repeatedly turned the things people underestimated about her into sources of strength.
Her exaggerated femininity, Appalachian identity, humour and unmistakable appearance were treated by critics as reasons not to take her seriously. Dolly did something much more interesting: she made them inseparable from her identity.
This is a video about Dolly Parton the songwriter, performer, actress, businesswoman and cultural icon, and about how she remained recognisably Dolly as the world around her changed.
How did someone who looked so completely artificial become one of the most authentic figures in popular culture?
That is the question at the heart of The Last Laugh.
If Dolly Parton meant something to you, I’d love to hear your story in the comments.
Rest in peace, Dolly. Close description
In the days following her death, I wanted to look beyond the rhinestones, the wigs and the jokes and examine how Dolly Parton constructed one of the most powerful personal brands in music , without ever losing the songwriter underneath it.
From leaving Porter Wagoner and establishing herself as a solo artist, to Jolene, Coat of Many Colors and 9 to 5, Dolly repeatedly turned the things people underestimated about her into sources of strength.
Her exaggerated femininity, Appalachian identity, humour and unmistakable appearance were treated by critics as reasons not to take her seriously. Dolly did something much more interesting: she made them inseparable from her identity.
This is a video about Dolly Parton the songwriter, performer, actress, businesswoman and cultural icon, and about how she remained recognisably Dolly as the world around her changed.
How did someone who looked so completely artificial become one of the most authentic figures in popular culture?
That is the question at the heart of The Last Laugh.
If Dolly Parton meant something to you, I’d love to hear your story in the comments.
Rest in peace, Dolly. Close description