Dolly Parton Receives A Request To Join The American Idol Cast

Dolly Parton made her album debut in 1967 with ‘Hello, I’m Dolly,’ after achieving success as a songwriter for others. However, it appears that her influence is still alive in the industry. Dolly Parton recently claimed that she received a request to join the American Idol cast.

Dolly Parton, a legend of country music, stated in a recent interview that she has received several requests to join the “American Idol” judging panel, which already includes her longtime friend Lionel Richie. But Parton admitted that she has frequently declined offers from the program as well as requests from “The Voice” producers at NBC because she is unsure of her ability to say “no” to aspiring musicians.

However, the 10-time Grammy winner has kept the door open to performing on the program, which premieres its 21st season on February 19, 2023, and adores many of the talents that have emerged from “Idol.” Parton stated that she received “offers all the time” to participate in talent competitions but is unsure if she would be a good fit as a judge on “American Idol” or “The Voice” in a January 2023 interview with Taste of Country.

“I get asked every season to be on,” Parton said. “I really have trouble judging people. I would have a lot of trouble telling them yes or no — especially no.”

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“I just always hate to see them lose, even though I’m very proud of the ones that win, and they deserve it, because the public (votes) on that. But I just feel their little hearts. I hate it when they don’t win.”

An inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022, Dolly Parton expressed her gratitude to Taste of Country for the numerous finalists who have performed her songs over the years. HunterGirl, the “Idol” runner-up in 2022, reached the Top 10 by singing Parton’s classic “9 to 5” Maddie Poppe, the season 16 champion, and Caleb Lee Hutchinson, the runner-up, both sang “Islands in the Stream,” the hit duet by Parton and Kenny Rogers, during the “Idol” reunion event.

“I love the fact that a lot of them do use different songs like ‘I Will Always Love You,’ ‘Jolene’ or ‘9 to 5.’ I hear a lot of my songs on there. That’s a great treat.”

When “American Idol” was still airing on FOX in 2008, the program gave Parton a week of the competition and had each candidate sing one of her songs. Even yet, she refrained from commenting on any of their performances. Although Parton admitted to Taste of Country that she has been thinking of producing her own TV talent show on her own network, she did say that she is open to acting as “a mentor or something like that.”

“I couldn’t go on and criticize somebody else’s singing.”

“I probably will do something like (“American Idol” or “The Voice”) in the future. Maybe create a show where it could really be positive. Although those are fantastic shows. I love watching it. I would just have trouble being a judge of somebody’s talent.”

Parton is adored by many of the most well-known former contestants of “Idol,” in addition to the numerous occasions her songs have been sung on the show over the years. When Dolly Parton approached Kelly Clarkson to collaborate with her on a duet version of the 1980 song “9 to 5” for the documentary “Still Working 9 to 5,” the first-ever “American Idol” winner was shocked.

In a statement at the time, Clarkson said, “She is so talented, an inspiration to all women, and one of the sweetest people you will ever meet. I hope y’all like what we did, but even if you don’t, remember I got to sing a duet with the magical Dolly Parton and now have bragging rights til the end of time!”

Since winning “Idol,” Underwood has shared the stage with Parton numerous times. In 2020, Underwood spoke with BMI about how Parton has been an influence on her ever since.

“As far as her influencing my career, we’re all just trying to be Dolly, let’s be honest. She is somebody that has set such an incredible example for all of us and paved such a path for us. There’s so many of us that it’s like, okay, if there was no Dolly, there would be no us.”

With Dolly Parton and Jimmie Allen, another “Idol” alum, Gabby Barrett, who finished third in season 16 of “Idol” and has since shot to prominence, will co-host the 2022 Academy of Country Music Awards. Even so, she didn’t entirely regard Parton as a colleague despite their shared professional experience. For further updates stay tuned to Thirsty.

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