Dolly Parton is looking for someone to portray her

On December 6, 2024By Littum

Originally appeared on E! Online

Dolly Parton getting ready to swoon back to Broadway.

The country music icon – who received one Tony Award nomination in 2009 for 9 to 5: The Musical— just revealed the search for actresses to play her in a new stage show about her life coming in 2026.

“I’m announcing the search for Dolly,” she said in a Dec. 5 Instagram announcement. “Whether you’re chasing your dreams from a small town or you’ve spent years performing on stages across the country, I want to give you the chance to help me bring my story to Broadway and maybe even play me.”

“This show is a celebration of my music, my life and all the amazing people who have been with me along the way,” she continued. “Now we’re looking for talented artists who can capture the spirit of my journey, whether you’re a seasoned theater professional or an undiscovered gym goer with that little special song.”

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But the 78-year-old – whose career began at the age of 10 and has spanned music, TV and filmachieves 11 Grammysintroductions to country music and Rock and Roll Halls of Fame and countless other honors—not just looking for one person to portray her.

“There are three Dollys we’re looking for,” Dolly told exclusively E! News. “There must be a little Dolly, because I started when I was very young. And then there is the middle Dolly that I used for many of those years. And then the older Dolly, the one who kind of tells it all (and) comes in and out and even kind of works with the other two.” (For more of Dolly’s interview, tune in E! News tonight, December 5 at 23)

And while she’s determined to find the right women to play the part, she’s most looking forward to the process.

“(The search will) be fun because you never know who you’re going to find,” Dolly explained. “It would be amazing if we found an unknown person who was just amazing. I keep thinking that the hardest part is going to be finding little Dolly.”

“Wouldn’t we be blessed if we could find a little Shirley Temple?” she asked. “You know, one of those little kids who can remember and remember and dance and sing and all that. But I hope we end up with all the good people.”

For more of Dolly’s interview, tune in E! News tonight, December 5 at 11 p.m

In the meantime, keep reading for a look back at Dolly’s over the years.

— Reporting by John Redmann