Singer Dolly Parton has a reasons she’s never been a judge or coach on the popular singing competition shows, American Idol and The Voice.
While speaking to E! News in a May 8 interview, Parton said she rejected offers to be an American Idol judge and a coach on The Voice because she doesn’t want to crush the spirits of the competitors.
“I’ve been asked to do that a lot of times. It’s too hard for me. That’s why I don’t accept it, because I know how sincere everybody is. Even if they’re not that good, they believe they are. And I just can’t hurt people,” said Parton to the publication.
According to E! News, Parton has helped American Idol and The Voice competitors as a guest mentor throughout the years.
In a May 2025 interview on The TODAY Show, Parton opened up about her interactions with fans. She noted that she will ride through her amusement park, Dollywood, located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, to wave at her fans. She referenced a recent viral video that featured a little boy showing his extreme excitement when she acknowledged him during the Dollywood parade.
“I just wanted to get off that cart and just squeeze him. It’s just great. I ride through the park, every day that I can, that I’m up here, in the afternoon. Just getting to see the reaction. And feeling all that love,” said Parton during the interview.
She also said she had an emotional reaction following that parade because she was mourning the loss of her late husband, Carl Dean, who died in March 2025.
“I got very emotional after the parade. Because there was so much love, like that. And it was right after I had lost Carl. And I was just so bottled up with emotion. And i just got in the van and just boohooed for the longest time,” said Parton.
Parton said that she is going through an adjustment period following the loss of Dean.
“We’ve been together 60 years. Since I was 18 years old. And it’s a big adjustment just trying to change patterns and habits. [But] I’m fine. And I’m very involved in my work,” said Parton on The TODAY Show.
Parton also expressed gratitude to those who showered her with support after Dean’s death.
“I’m so thankful. I got so many cards, flowers. From all the world,” said Parton.
