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Tag: Dolly Parton

  • Dolly Parton addresses health concerns on milestone 80th birthday: ‘Just getting started’

    Dolly Parton shared a positive health update with fans on Monday, revealing that after a year filled with doctor’s visits, she is now “doing fine”. The legendary country singer, who celebrated her milestone 80th birthday on the same day, spoke to People about how she felt entering her ninth decade of life.

    “People say, ‘Well, you’re going to be 80 years old.’ Well, so what?” she told the publication. “Look at all I’ve done in 80 years. I feel like I’m just getting started.”

    “I know that sounds stupid, but unless my health gives way, which right now I seem to be doing fine,” she continued. Fans shared their concerns for Dolly several times in 2025, including when she canceled her Las Vegas residency in September due to “a few procedures” she had to undergo.

    © Getty Images
    Dolly revealed that she was “doing fine” after battling health issues

    However, the blonde beauty shared that she still had many years left in her, despite her age. “If you allow yourself to get old, you will. I say, ‘I ain’t got time to get old!’ I ain’t got time to dwell on that. That’s not what I’m thinking about,” she said.

    Dolly added that she was excited to have achieved so much in her 80 years. “Not that anybody would want to celebrate that, but there is a celebration in the fact that I have done so much in that time and that I’m still doing it,” she shared.

    “I don’t know what I’m going to be doing tomorrow. Whatever comes, I’ll give it my best.” The “Jolene” singer revealed in an October update on social media that she was recovering well despite her sister’s social media post, in which Freida Parton asked fans to pray for the musician.

    Dolly Parton attends "Dolly: An Original Musical" fireside chat and press conference at The Fisher Center for the Performing Arts on January 28, 2025© Getty Images
    The star shared that she “didn’t take care” of herself after the death of her husband

    “I know lately, everybody thinks I’m sicker than I am. Do I look sick to you?” Dolly asked fans in an Instagram video shared shortly after her sister’s post.

    Learn more about Dolly’s health journey below…

    WATCH: Dolly Parton breaks silence on her health: ‘I ain’t dead yet’

    “I’m okay. I’ve got some problems, as I mentioned,” she continued. “Back when my husband Carl was very sick – that was for a long time. And then, when he passed, I didn’t take care of myself. So, I let a lot of things go that I should have been taking care of.” Carl Dean, whom Dolly was married to for almost 60 years, passed away on March 3, 2025, aged 82.

    “So anyway, when I got around to it, the doctor said we need to take care of this. We need to take care of that,” she added. “I’m not ready to die yet. I don’t think God is through with me and I ain’t done working.”

    Dolly Parton carl dean© DollyParton.com
    The pair were married for almost 60 years

    Several of Dolly’s friends and peers in the music industry shared birthday tributes to the Grammy winner on her special day, including country stars Keith Urban and Lainey Wilson. Keith shared a recording of himself singing Dolly’s song “Applejack” at just 10 years old. “You’ve been a massive inspiration to me for a long time, darling,” he said in the video.

    Keith Urban and Dolly Parton attend the 53rd Anniversary Nashville Songwriters Hall Of Fame Gala at Music City Center on October 11, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee.© Getty Images
    Keith paid tribute to the country music legend on her birthday

    “Thank you for everything that you’ve ever done, musically, humanly…the songs you’ve written, the people you’ve helped…the goodness that you’ve brought into the world with your heart and your curiosity and your passion and your insane musical gift.”

    Lainey recalled the first time she met Dolly in a compilation video, and explained that the star made her feel “like we had known each other forever”.

    Katie Fitzpatrick

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  • This Day in Rock History: January 19

    Jan. 19 is a meaningful day for rock, and for music in general. Two of the greatest female artists in music history share a birthday, and it also marks an iconic album reaching No. 1 on the charts. Keep reading to learn more about these moments, along with other major events that occurred on this day in rock history.

    Breakthrough Hits and Milestones

    Some huge names had major career milestones on Jan. 19, including:

    • 1980: Pink Floyd’s legendary concept album, The Wall, reached the top spot on the US Billboard 200 album chart, where it spent an impressive 15 weeks. It was the band’s third US No. 1 album, and it went on to sell over 30 million copies worldwide.
    • 1980: While Pink Floyd was topping the US album chart, Michael Jackson went to No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 singles chart with “Rock with You,” from his Off the Wall album. It was his third solo number 1 song, and the album sold more than 20 million copies globally. 
    • 2008: Radiohead’s seventh studio album, In Rainbows, hit No. 1 on the US Billboard 200 chart. This happened despite the band posting it on their website without any prior promotion and allowing fans to pay as much as they want for its MP3 version, including $0.

    Cultural Milestones

    While the music always comes first, rock’s colorful characters are a huge part of its charm and appeal. Here are the most notable rock culture moments from Jan. 19:

    • 1943: Janis Joplin was born in Port Arthur, Texas. She made a name for herself as a member of the band Big Brother and the Holding Company. She also released two highly acclaimed solo albums, with the second coming three months after her untimely death at the age of 27, in 1970.
    • 1946: Dolly Parton was born in Pittman Center, Tennessee. She has sold over 100 million albums worldwide throughout her career, and, following her induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2022, she released her first rock album at age 77, called Rockstar.
    • 1994: The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony took place at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City. Some huge names were inducted, including Elton John, The Animals, John Lennon, and Rod Stewart, with the most memorable performance of the night being Bruce Springsteen and Axl Rose’s version of the Beatles’ “Come Together.”

    From music legends being born to others getting the recognition they deserve, these are the most noteworthy events that happened in rock music on Jan. 19. Visit us again tomorrow to find out what happened on that day in rock history.

    Dan Teodorescu

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  • 25 holiday TV offerings to watch, ranging from comedies to rom-coms and cozy mysteries

    Whether you prefer something naughty, like the animated movie “Grandma Got Ran Over By a Reindeer” or nice, like classics “The Sound of Music” and “Home Alone,” streamers, cable and broadcast networks offer up festive choices in December.

    Highlights this year include music specials with Derek Hough and Jimmy Fallon, the Rockefeller Tree lighting hosted by Reba McEntire, Lacey Chabert’s latest Hallmark Channel movie, NFL games and even cozy mysteries with a Christmas theme.

    Here are some highlights.

    Dec. 1

    — “Dancing with the Stars” judge Derek Hough hosts the annual “The Wonderful World of Disney: Holiday Spectacular” on ABC. Popular recording artists including Nicole Scherzinger, Gwen Stefani, Trisha Yearwood and Mariah the Scientist put their own spin on Christmas classics. Streams next day on Hulu and Disney+.

    Dec. 3

    — Reba McEntire hosts NBC’s annual “Christmas in Rockefeller Center” which culminates in the lighting of the giant Christmas tree in New York’s Rockefeller Center. This year’s tree is a Norway spruce from Greenbush, New York. It has more than 50,000 colored lights and is topped with a Swarovski star that weighs 900 pounds. The special will also stream live on Peacock.

    (Jake Rosenberg/Netflix via AP)

    — Some people find holiday prep daunting. It comes naturally to Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, whose life seems to be a Pinterest page. She’s got ideas to share in a special episode of Netflix’s “With Love, Meghan” lifestyle series. In “With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration,” Meghan taps guests including Naomi Osaka and Tom Colicchio to bake, make treats with holiday flair and craft. “Being a hostess or a host, it’s about making people feel comfortable,” the royal says.

    Dec. 5

    This image released by Apple TV shows Gobo, voiced by John Tartaglia, in a scene from "The First Snow of Fraggle Rock." (Apple TV via AP)

    — In the new Apple TV special, “The First Snow of Fraggle Rock,” the Fraggles are anxiously waiting for snow to kick off their festive season. Instead, a single snowflake falls, leaving Gobo, feeling uninspired to write an annual holiday song. For the first time, he ventures into the human world to seek out ideas. The special is a reminder that unplanned moments can also come with their own magic.

    — Roku Channel has a follow-up to the holiday romance “Jingle Bell Love” starring Joey McIntyre of New Kids on the Block and Michelle Morgan. In “Jingle Bell Wedding,” Jack and Jessica are engaged and looking forward to a New Year’s Eve wedding. They’re also in charge of organizing an annual Christmas concert. Will all the planning derail their relationship?

    Dec. 6

    This combination of photos shows promotional art for holiday films "Jingle Bell Wedding," from left, "The Christmas Showdown," and "She's Making a List." (Roku/OWN/Hallmark Channel via AP)

    (Roku/OWN/Hallmark Channel via AP)

    — Lacey Chabert works for Santa Claus in the new Hallmark Channel movie “She’s Making a List.” Chabert plays Isabel, whose job is to track kids’ behavior throughout the year. Isabel’s strict rules lighten up a bit when she’s assigned to report on an 11-year-old whose father Jason (Andrew Walker) is a widower. Chabert and Walker previously co-starred in a Valentine’s Day movie for Hallmark in 2018. “She’s Making a List” also streams on Hallmark+.

    — The OWN original, “The Christmas Showdown,” reunites Amber Stevens West and Corbin Reid from the acclaimed Starz comedy “Run the World.” They play former besties competing for the same job who learn it’s better to work as a team. Loretta Devine also stars.

    Dec. 7

    — How about a cozy mystery this Christmas? UPtv offers the new film “A Christmas Murder Mystery.” Vera Vexley is a puzzle editor for her local newspaper who also has a side-gig as a detective. When Vera’s invited to spend the holidays with family friends, a murder launches her into investigative-mode and everyone is a suspect.

    Dec. 9

    — A new two-hour, faith-based special tells the story of Mary, Joseph and the birth of Jesus in “Kevin Costner Presents: The First Christmas” for ABC. The Oscar winner serves as host and narrator.

    Dec. 10

    — Zooey Deschanel and Charlie Cox co-star in a new holiday rom-com called “Merv” for Prime Video. The pair play exes who share joint custody of their dog Merv. When Merv is visibly depressed because his human parents are no longer together, they take him on a trip to cheer him up.

    This image released by Amazon Content Services shows Zooey Deschanel, left, and Charlie Cox in a scene from "Merv." (Wilson Webb/Amazon Content Services via AP)

    Zooey Deschanel, left, and Charlie Cox in a scene from “Merv.” (Wilson Webb/Amazon Content Services via AP)

    — The animated movie “Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer” is an adaptation on the farcical song of the same name. In the special, airing on The CW Network, a boy sets out to find his missing grandmother on Christmas Eve.

    Dec. 11

    — The Dolly Parton song, “Coat of Many Colors” comes to life in a TV movie airing for the first time on the CW. Set against the Smoky Mountains in the 1950s, it’s about the Parton family and how their love, faith — and a patchwork coat — help them to move past tragedy. Alyvia Alyn Lind plays young Dolly and Jennifer Nettles and Rick Schroeder portray her mom and dad. “Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors” originally debuted in 2015.

    This image released by The CW shows Alyvia Alyn Lind in a scene from "Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors." (The CW Network via AP)

    Alyvia Alyn Lind in a scene from “Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors.” (The CW Network via AP)

    — Jimmy Fallon’s musical comedy special from last year gets a repeat. In “Jimmy Fallon’s Holiday Seasoning Spectacular,” the “Tonight Show” host searches a New York apartment building for the holiday spirit and encounters different celebrity guests behind each door. Jonas Brothers, Justin Timberlake, LL Cool J, the Roots and “Weird Al” Yankovic all appear.

    Dec. 12

    — AMC’s annual holiday programming includes a marathon of Will Ferrell’s “Elf” beginning at 6 p.m. It broadcasts back-to-back for eight-hours.

    Dec. 13

    — Apple TV streams the beloved favorite “A Charlie Brown Christmas” for free on Dec. 13 and Dec. 14.

    — In “A Suite Holiday Romance” for Hallmark Channel, Jessy Schram stars a ghostwriter who checks-in to a fancy New York hotel for a job writing a memoir. She meets a handsome Brit (Dominic Sherwood) and the two experience a series of misunderstandings until they realize they’re meant to be.

    Dec. 14

    — HGTV returns to the White House at Christmas for a one-hour special that goes behind-the-scenes of its decorating transformation at the holidays. It also streams next day on HBO Max and Discovery+.

    — On the first night of Hanukkah, Hallmark Channel premieres the new movie “Oy to the World!” When the pipes burst at a local synagogue, a church opens its doors for an interfaith service. Brooke D’Orsay and Jake Epstein play choir directors who were also rivals in high school that must work together to put on a successful event for all.

    Dec. 15

    — Acorn TV has a two-part Christmas special of “The Madame Blanc Mysteries” airing Dec. 15 and Dec. 22. British actor Sally Lindsay plays antique dealer Jean White, who visits the France museum Maison Sainte-Victoire on Christmas Eve to authenticate an Ormolu box once owned by Marie Antoinette. It’s discovered that the box contains a ticking time bomb and Jean and her team have just 90 minutes to diffuse it.

    Dec. 16

    This image released by PBS shows English National Ballet dancers in “Great Performances: Nutcracker from English National Ballet." (Johan Persson/PBS via AP)

    (Johan Persson/PBS via AP)

    — “The Nutcracker” ballet is a Christmas classic, and PBS is offering a reimagined version taped at the London Coliseum. Still set to Tchaikovsky’s score, this version centralizes Clara’s story and is set in Edwardian London where a street scene has dancing chimney sweeps and suffragettes. “Great Performances: Nutcracker from English National Ballet” will also be available for streaming on PBS.org and the PBS app.

    Dec. 20

    — Lifetime is jumping on the pickleball popularity bandwagon with the new movie “A Pickleball Christmas.” It stars James Lafferty as a tennis pro whose family’s racquet club is on the brink of closing its doors. He and a tennis instructor take part in a holiday tournament to save the day.

    Dec. 21

    — Tate Donovan and Jillian Murphy star in a new Christmas movie for Great American Family called “Mario Lopez Presents: Chasing Christmas.” In the film, Donovan plays a morning show host and Murphy a designer who team up to make a child’s Christmas wish come true. Lopez’s son Dominic also has a role.

    — The Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer classic “The Sound of Music” airs on ABC.

    Dec. 24

    — “Home Alone” airs on ABC. The film made Macaulay Culkin a child star for playing a boy whose parents accidentally leave him home when their large family hurries off on a Christmas vacation. He’s left to defend his house against two clumsy burglars.

    Dec. 25

    — Netflix is gifting us with football on Christmas again this year. The Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Commanders game is at 1 p.m. Eastern followed by the Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings at 4:30 p.m. Eastern.

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  • Dolly Parton shares ‘health challenges’ after missing Dollywood event – National | Globalnews.ca

    Dolly Parton has shared a health update after missing the Hall of Fame ceremony for her theme park, Dollywood.

    The 79-year-old country icon shared a video on social media Wednesday after missing the ceremony for the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), which took place on Monday in Orlando, Fla.

    “Well, hey there, it’s Dolly,” Parton began. “And I sure wish I could be with you in person today, but you probably heard that I’ve been dealing with a few health challenges this fall, and my doctors told me to take it easy for just a little while.”

    Parton said she was “truly sorry” she couldn’t be in attendance but she still wanted to take the chance to thank everyone for the “incredible honour,’ including Jack and Peter Herschend, her partners who co-own the Dollywood theme park.

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    “And to Jack and Peter, hey, thank you for being my partners and my friends for more than 40 years,” she said. “You’ve been a blessing to me, and I love you dearly. You know, our partnership is truly special. I trust them, and they trust me, and they always listen when I come in with one of my big ideas and dreams.”

    Parton also credited the pair and the amazing team at Dollywood for finding “a way to make those dreams come true.”


    “I still remember when I had the big idea for Dollywood. I dreamed of a place right here in the Smoky Mountains where my family could perform, and where we could provide steady work for the good people in our community — and where families could come and laugh, play, and have fun and to make memories together,” she said, before adding that she was “nervous” to open the theme park in 1986.

    “I was about as nervous as a kid waiting to see if anybody was going to show up at a birthday party,” the Jolene singer said. “I peeked out the window of my bus, saw all those cars lined up, and would you believe it? They’re still lining up today.”

    Parton said she is “just so grateful that you consider me worthy of this recognition.”

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    “Being inducted into the IAAPA Hall of Fame is a big, incredible way to help celebrate Dollywood’s 40th anniversary season,” she added.

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    Parton said she is the second woman ever to be inducted on her own and the fourth woman in the IAAPA’s 100-year history.

    “So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for this honour, from me and from everyone who makes Dollywood what it is,” she said, before adding, “Remember that I will always love you.”

    Parton’s absence comes after she virtually accepted an honorary Oscar over the weekend at the Governors Awards at the Ray Dolby Ballroom in Hollywood.

    She accepted the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences remotely from Tennessee on Nov. 16.

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    Standing beside her Oscar, Parton shared a video message with the Academy, calling the recognition “a blessing of a lifetime.”

    “I grew up in a house with 12 kids,” Parton began. “Now, that alone teaches you how important sharing is. Don’t get me wrong, we didn’t have that much to share. But my mom and daddy showed me by example that the more you give, the more blessings come your way.”

    “And I have been blessed more than I ever dreamed possible, like with this award tonight,” Parton added. “It’s an honour just to be considered, but to receive this, I mean, that’s a blessing of a lifetime. And I don’t take this kind of thing lightly. It makes me want to dream up new ways to help lift people up.”

    Trending Now

    So from my heart to yours, I truly thank you,” Parton said before she held up her award.

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    Earlier this year, Parton postponed her first Las Vegas residency in 32 years due to “health challenges.”

    “As many of you know, I’ve been dealing with some health challenges, and my doctors tell me that I must have a few procedures. As I joked with them, it must be time for my 100,000-mile check-up, although it’s not the usual trip to see my plastic surgeon!” she wrote in the announcement shared on Instagram.

    Parton also told her fans that “lately everybody thinks that I am sicker than I am” in another health update shared in October.


    Click to play video: 'Dolly Parton shuts down health rumours: ‘Do I look sick to you?’'


    Dolly Parton shuts down health rumours: ‘Do I look sick to you?’


    “I’ve got some problems, as I’ve mentioned,” Parton said. “Back when my husband Carl was very sick — that was for a long time — and then when he passed, I didn’t take care of myself, so I let a lot of things go that I should have been taking care of. So anyway, when I got around to it, the doctor said, ‘We need to take care of this. We need to take care of that.’”

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    She noted that it’s “nothing major” but she did have to “cancel some things so I could be closer to home” and closer to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, “where I’m kind of having a few treatments here and there, but I wanted you to know that I’m not dying.”

    Curator Recommendations

    © 2025 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

    Katie Scott

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  • Dolly Parton’s Divine Dogma: “You Better Get to Livin’”

    “I live by my gut, so to speak,” Dolly Parton writes in her new memoir, Star of the Show: My Life on Stage. “The God gut is what I call it. I just seem to know what I should and shouldn’t do because I pray about things like that.”

    Her gut has usually been right. Parton wears many hats: singer, songwriter, philanthropist, entrepreneur, brilliant businesswoman, theme park owner, star of classic films like Steel Magnolias, 9 to 5, and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, and recent honorary Oscar winner.

    A spiritual, earthy dreamer, who is also funny as hell and sharp as a tack, Parton has arguably crafted her personal brand more successfully than any other celebrity. In her first autobiography, 1994’s Dolly: My Life and Other Unfinished Business, she also reveals herself to be a beautifully deep, bawdy and witty writer of prose who, much like Louis Armstrong, recounts her hardscrabble beginnings and the hard luck characters who shaped her with equal parts gratitude and understanding.

    But like fellow beloved and savvy icon Sophia Loren, Parton has the stories she will tell you—and the ones she won’t. This is evident from her enjoyable but lighter trilogy of coffee-table memoirs of the past few years: Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics, 2023’s Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones, and 2025’s Star of the Show: My Life on Stage.

    Yet all of Parton’s memoirs have one thing in common: they make the reader genuinely feel happy and warm. Parton brings us along for the ride, with Kenny Rogers, Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris, Andy Warhol, Willie Nelson, Tammy Wynette, Jane Fonda, Julia Roberts, Merle Haggard, Miley Cyrus, and a host of Parton’s other nearest and dearest riding shotgun.

    “One of my favorite expressions is ‘Angels fly because they take themselves lightly,’” Parton writes in My Life and Other Unfinished Business. “They don’t think of themselves as angels. They just are…I’m not for a moment suggesting that I am an angel, but I have certainly known some.”

    Parton as a child in Tennessee circa 1955.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images.

    In the Good Old Days (When Times Were Bad)

    “In the midst of direst poverty and despair,” Parton writes in Dolly: My Life and Other Unfinished Business, “the human spirit, especially that of children, will find some hope to cling to, some promise of a better day.”

    Hadley Hall Meares

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  • M. Night Shyamalan’s latest plot twist? Teaming with Nicholas Sparks on a novel and upcoming film

    Even M. Night Shyamalan — known for making darker movies like “The Sixth Sense” and “Signs” — goes looking for the light sometimes.

    “I just finished three really dark movies, ‘Old,’ ‘Knock at the Cabin’ and ‘Trap,’ which are really edgy movies where the characters are super, super dark and complicated, and I wanted to do something different,” said the director.

    He found an interesting opportunity to collaborate on a new supernatural romance novel called “Remain” with Nicholas Sparks. Yes, that Nicholas Sparks — king of romantic dramas like “The Notebook” and “A Walk to Remember.”

    Co-authored books are a hot trend right now in the publishing world. Reese Witherspoon and Harlan Coben have a new novel out. James Patterson has teamed up with Bill Clinton and Dolly Parton on books. This collab, however, is different in that Shyamalan had written the screenplay and Sparks agreed to write a novel based on that story. A “Remain” film — starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Phoebe Dynevor — already wrapped production and will be released next year.

    “I don’t think anybody has ever done what we just did, which was take the same story and simultaneously go do our separate things,” said Sparks. “It isn’t in linear fashion. It’s two people doing two different art forms from the same story. I trusted him 100% to make the best film version of that story possible and he trusted me.”

    The two crossed paths years ago when Shyamalan was asked if he would want to adapt Sparks’ novel “The Notebook” into a feature film. The job ended up going to Nick Cassavetes, but Shyamalan said Sparks’ work “always represented something magical to me.” It meant something to him that he would be entrusted with a story so beloved.

    In an interview with The Associated Press, Sparks and Shyamalan talk about teaming up, scary movies and chicken salad. Answers have been edited for clarity and brevity.

    ____

    AP: At first thought, you two working together seems like an unlikely duo. but the supernatural and romance genres have a lot in common.

    SPARKS: We’re not the first to dabble in this. The biggest movie of 1990 was “Ghost.” Shakespeare used to put ghosts into his plays.

    SHYAMALAN: I think love is a supernatural conceit. It’s a mythology we all buy into, but it is still a mythology, a supernatural mythology that there’s a “one.” The “destined one” that you meet in the coffee shop and that you know it was meant to be, and then all the things that happened because you met.

    AP: Night, you say you approached Gyllenhaal at the beginning of the year about this role. When you did that, did you tell him it would also be a novel written by Sparks?

    SHYAMALAN: I must have. But it was such an unusual moment because I had finished writing the screenplay, pressed save, rushed to get in the car to go to New York for my daughter’s birthday. In the car the phone rings, and it’s Jake. And I’m like, “What’s up, man?” We hadn’t talked in five years, something more. And he’s like, “I’d love to be in one of your movies.” And I went, “That is so weird. Where are you?” And he’s like, “I’m in New York.” I said, “Well, I’m going to New York. Want to have tea?” I had a gut feeling that the universe was doing something. So, I called my assistant. I said, “Print the script.” So, we’re just having tea and catching up. And he’s telling me how in love he is and how he’s just so happy and in love. And I said, “You know what? Here.” He was in shock. He called me two days later and said, “I’m in. I love it.” It was a weird kind of beautiful thing.

    AP: Does the book follow the screenplay to the letter or vice versa?

    SPARKS: Like any adaptation, no. The first thing I said when I read his script was, “Hey, this is great. Of course, it’s gonna be nothing like my novel. It’s entirely different.” Night said basically the same thing.

    SHYAMALAN: I think for audiences, it’ll be really interesting. They can point out the differences and ask, “Why did Nicholas do that with the character and the backstory? Why did Night do this?” Our dialogue isn’t the same.

    AP: Night, we’re in spooky season with Halloween coming up. Are there any films — besides your own — that you recommend watching?

    SHYAMALAN: “The Exorcist,” of course, it’s always there. There’s “The Innocents.” “The Haunting” 1963 film by Robert Wise. And the Japanese movie “Cure.”

    AP: Nicholas, have you made Night your famous chicken salad with Splenda?

    SPARKS: No, I haven’t. I did an interview with the New York Times where I offered the reporter some of my homemade chicken salad and it had Splenda. And whatever reason this blew up on social media. People thought it must be the most disgusting chicken salad ever. So, I said, “No, it’s delicious.” We started making it on my book tour last year, handing it out to people. And in fact, Splenda put the recipe on its boxes. You can get them. I was invited to the Indianapolis 500 to see the Splenda car.

    SHYAMALAN: To get to the core of your question. No, he has not made it. Nor has he mentioned it. Didn’t even offer it.

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  • Reba McEntire calls out AI-generated fake pregnancy photos and Dolly Parton ‘deathbed’ images

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    Reba McEntire is firing back at the use of AI-generated images.

    The “Fancy” singer posted a message on her Instagram stories Thursday to slam the use of AI-generated images in support of fellow country music star Dolly Parton.

    “You tell ’em, Dolly,” McEntire wrote. “That AI mess has got us doing all kinds of crazy things. You’re out there dying, I’m out here having a baby. Well, both of us know you’re too young, and I’m too old for any of that kind of nonsense.”

    McEntire was referring to AI-generated images that showed the star, 70, and fiancé Rex Linn posing with an ultrasound photo as Linn cradles McEntire’s pregnant stomach.

    Reba McEntire is supporting friend Dolly Parton amid the AI-generated photo craze. (Getty Images)

    DOLLY PARTON GIVES KELLY CLARKSON, REBA MCENTIRE ADVICE ON COPING WITH GRIEF AFTER BRANDON BLACKSTOCK’S DEATH

    Another fake photo making the rounds online recently featured Parton lying in a hospital bed attached to a tube as McEntire sits at her bedside praying and wiping away tears from her eyes.

    Reps for McEntire did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

    “You’re out there dying, I’m out here having a baby. Well, both of us know you’re too young, and I’m too old for any of that kind of nonsense.”

    — Reba McEntire

    The image of Parton on her “deathbed” began circulating after Parton announced last month that due to certain “health challenges,” her scheduled six-night residency in Las Vegas would be postponed from December 2025 to September 2026.

    In response to the images, Parton posted a video on Instagram telling her followers, “If I was really dying, I don’t think Reba would be the one at my death bed,” adding she hopes McEntire “might come visit me earlier.”

    Dolly Parton

    Parton’s sister asked fans to pray for her amid concerns about her health. (Jason Kempin/Getty Images)

    The singer’s sister, Frieda, further raised concerns about Parton’s health when she asked fans to join her in prayer for the songstress.

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    “Many of you know she hasn’t been feeling her best lately,” Frieda wrote on Facebook. “I truly believe in the power of prayer, and I have been lead to ask all of the world that loves her to be prayer warriors and pray with me.” 

    Parton took to Instagram earlier this week to dispel rumors she was dying, telling her fans, “I’m not ready to die yet.”

    “I didn’t take care of myself, so I let a lot of things go that I should have been taking care of,” Parton explained. “When I got around to it, the doctor said we need to take care of this, we need to take care of that. Nothing major, but I did have to cancel some things so I could be closer to home, closer to Vanderbilt where I’m kind of having some treatments here and there.”

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    Dolly Parton and Reba McEntire on the red carpet at the CMA Awards in November 2019.

    McEntire said she is praying for Parton. (Taylor Hill/Getty Images)

    McEntire also touched on the health concerns Parton alluded to in her recent Instagram story, letting her friend know, “You better know I’m praying for you. I love you with all my heart, and I can’t wait to see you soon. Love you!”

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    Lori Bashian is an entertainment production assistant for Fox News Digital. 

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  • Dolly Parton says “I’m not dying” after sister asks for prayers

    Dolly Parton isn’t dying, she assured worried fans on Wednesday in a video posted to her social media.

    “I want to say something,” the 79-year-old music legend said at the start of the video, which she said was taken on Wednesday.  “I know lately everybody thinks I’m sicker than I am. Do I look sick to you? I’m working hard here.” 

    She said she was “doing some commercials for the Grand Ole Opry,” and stated: “I’m not dying.”

    Parton’s spokesperson, Marcel Pariseau, told CBS News on Tuesday that she was filming the video to address everyone’s concerns. It comes after Parton’s sister, Freida Parton, posted on social media asking for prayers for the “9 to 5” singer.

    “I wanted to put everybody’s mind at ease,” Parton said in her video. “I appreciate your prayers because I’m a person of faith. I could always use the prayers for anything and everything. But I want you to know that I’m OK.”

    Parton appeared in good spirits and joked that she had seen some AI images of Reba McEntire at her deathbed.

    “If I was really dying, I don’t think Reba would be the one at my death bed. She might come visit me earlier,” she said. “Anyway, there’s just a lot of rumors flying around, but I figured if you heard it from me, you’d know that I was OK.”

    The country superstar added that she had not been taking care of herself when her husband Carl Dean, who died earlier this year, was sick for a long time.

    “When I got around to it, the doctor said, ‘We need to take care of this. We need to take care of that.’ Nothing major but I did have to cancel some things so I could be closer to home,” Parton said.

    Last month, Parton announced she was postponing her upcoming Las Vegas concerts over recent “health challenges.”

    “I’m not ready to die yet,” Parton said in closing. “I don’t think God is through with me and I ain’t done working. So I love you for caring, and thank you for praying for me.”

    Kiki Intarasuwan

    Kiki Intarasuwan is a news editor for CBS News & Stations.

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  • ‘I’m not ready to die yet’: Dolly Parton breaks silence on illness rumours – National | Globalnews.ca

    UPDATE: Dolly Parton wants her fans to know that even though “there’s just a lot of rumours out there,” she’s doing fine.

    Parton said that “lately everybody thinks that I am sicker than I am” and wanted to address her health issues in a video on Instagram.

    “Well, today’s October the 8th, and obviously I’m here. … Do I look sick to you? I’m working hard here,” Parton said on set of a commercial for the Grand Ole Opry. “I wanted to put everybody’s mind at ease, those that seem to be real concerned, which I appreciate – and I appreciate your prayers, ’cause I’m a person of faith, I can always use the prayers for anything and everything – but I want you to know that I’m OK!”

    “I’ve got some problems, as I’ve mentioned,” Parton continued. “Back when my husband Carl was very sick – that was for a long time – and then when he passed, I didn’t take care of myself, so I let a lot of things go that I should have been taking care of. So anyway, when I got around to it, the doctor said, we need to take care of this. We need to take care of that.”

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    Parton said that it’s “nothing major, but I did have to cancel some things so I could be closer to home” and closer to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, “where I’m kind of having a few treatments here and there, but I wanted you to know that I’m not dying.”

    She also joked about an AI photo circulating online that showed her on her “death bed” with Reba McEntire by her side.

    “Did you see that AI picture of Reba and me? Oh, lordy! I mean, they had Reba at my deathbed, and we both look like we need to be buried. I thought, oh, my Lord. But if I was really dying, I don’t think Reba would be the one at my deathbed. She might come visit me earlier,” she added.

    “There’s just a lot of rumours flying around, but I figured if you heard it from me, you’d know that I was okay,” she said. “So anyhow, that’s what I wanted to say and I’m not ready to die yet. I don’t think God is through with me and I ain’t done working. So I love you for caring, and keep praying for me.”

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    ORIGINAL STORY: Dolly Parton’s sister Freida Parton is sharing an update after she asked fans to pray for her sister’s recovery a week after the singer postponed her upcoming Las Vegas residency due to health issues.

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    “I want to clear something up,” Freida, 68, wrote in a Facebook post. “I didn’t mean to scare anyone or make it sound so serious when asking for prayers for Dolly.”

    Freida said that Parton, 79, has “been a little under the weather, and I simply asked for prayers because I believe so strongly in the power of prayer.”


    “It was nothing more than a little sister asking for prayers for her big sister. Thank you all for lifting her up. Your love truly makes a difference,” she added.

    Earlier on Tuesday, Freida took to Facebook to share an update on the Jolene singer, with a photo of Parton praying.

    “Last night, I was up all night praying for my sister, Dolly. Many of you know she hasn’t been feeling her best lately,” she wrote. “I truly believe in the power of prayer, and I have been lead to ask all of the world that loves her to be prayer warriors and pray with me.

    “She’s strong, she’s loved, and with all the prayers being lifted for her, I know in my heart she’s going to be just fine. Godspeed, my sissy Dolly. We all love you.”

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    Hours after Freida’s latest post, Parton’s sister Stella, 76, also shared an update on Facebook, speaking out about the criticism she’s received from fans for not speaking out about her sister’s health.

    “My big sister Dolly posted last week, giving her fans an update concerning her health and that she has been seeking treatment for kidney stones,” Stella wrote.

    Trending Now

    She said Freida “is concerned” and asked “for prayers on Dolly’s behalf.”

    “I personally, respect the privacy of ALL my family members and will not disrespect them by discussing their personal business with anyone,” she continued. “If you need further information please go to their pages. That being said, those of you who feel the need to attack or insult me because I don’t serve as your information booth you aren’t really fans.

    “If you were you would not make such an effort to say some of the hurtful things you’ve posted on my different social media platforms in the past 24 hours! I personally, appreciate those of you with sincere concerns on Dolly’s behalf and so do my family members.”

    Parton postponed her first Las Vegas residency in 32 years due to “health challenges” in late September. She did not elaborate on what her health issues are.

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    The country music icon announced the news in a post on Instagram on Sept. 28, telling fans that she wanted them “to hear directly from me that, unfortunately, I will need to postpone my upcoming Las Vegas concerts.”

    “As many of you know, I’ve been dealing with some health challenges, and my doctors tell me that I must have a few procedures. As I joked with them, it must be time for my 100,000-mile check-up, although it’s not the usual trip to see my plastic surgeon!” the 9 to 5 singer wrote.

    “In all seriousness, given this, I am not going to be able to rehearse and put together the show that I want you to see, and the show that you deserve to see. You pay good money to see me perform, and I want to be at my best for you.”

    She assured fans not to “worry about me quittin’ the business because God hasn’t said anything about stopping yet.”

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    Parton was scheduled to perform six shows at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace for Dolly: Live in Las Vegas between Dec. 4 and Dec. 13, overlapping with the National Finals Rodeo. Her dates have been moved to September 2026.

    Earlier in September, Parton cancelled her planned attendance at an announcement of a new ride at her Tennessee theme park, Dollywood.

    “I had a kidney stone that was causing me a lot of problems, turned out it’d given me an infection and the doctor said, ‘You don’t need to be travelling right this minute, so you need a few days to get better,’” Parton said in a video announcement at the time.

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  • Dolly Parton’s sister provides update after telling fans to pray for star

    Dolly Parton‘s sister, Freida Parton, clarified her social media comments after telling fans to pray for the country icon.

    “I want to clear something up. I didn’t mean to scare anyone or make it sound so serious when asking for prayers for Dolly,” she said on Facebook. “She’s been a little under the weather, and I simply asked for prayers because I believe so strongly in the power of prayer. It was nothing more than a little sister asking for prayers for her big sister. Thank you all for lifting her up. Your love truly makes a difference.”

    Hours earlier, Freida Parton concerned fans when she posted: “Last night, I was up all night praying for my sister, Dolly. Many of you know she hasn’t been feeling her best lately. I truly believe in the power of prayer, and I have been lead to ask all of the world that loves her to be prayer warriors and pray with me. She’s strong, she’s loved, and with all the prayers being lifted for her, I know in my heart she’s going to be just fine. Godspeed, my sissy Dolly. We all love you!”

    This is a breaking story and will be updated.

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  • Dolly Parton Is Selling the Most Perfect $2 Kitchen Gems at Dollar General for a Limited Time

    We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.

    ’Tis the season to be Dolly! Though the holiday season is still a few months away, Dolly Parton is already gifting fans with a little holiday cheer, courtesy of her latest collaboration with Dollar General. The brand-new Dolly Heart & Home Holiday Collection just launched at Dollar General locations all across the country, and it’s hard not to start feeling the holiday spirit.

    The adorable new lineup of festive homeware features over three dozen pieces for cooking, baking, and decorating your home. And every single one of them is bursting with holiday spirit! Plus, it starts at just $2, and almost everything is under $10.

    Add a little festivity to your morning coffee ritual with this adorable coffee mug, or, if you’re more of an iced coffee person, opt for this glass cup that says “Deck the Halls with Songs of Dolly” instead. You can even store your whole beans, coffee grounds, or other pantry staples in this sweet wood clamp jar.

    Dolly Parton is no stranger to Dollar General. Her long-standing partnership with the budget-friendly retailer has led to some seriously dreamy collections so far, including her butterfly-themed spring collection. All of the new holiday pieces are available for a limited time only, so if you’re planning to add a touch of Dolly to the season, you’ll want to shop sooner rather than later. Check out our favorite finds below:

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  • Dolly Parton postpones Vegas residency for 1 year due to ‘health challenges’ – National | Globalnews.ca

    Dolly Parton has postponed her first Las Vegas residency in 32 years due to “health challenges.”

    The country music icon, 79, announced the news in a post on Instagram on Sept. 28, telling fans that she wanted them “to hear directly from me that, unfortunately, I will need to postpone my upcoming Las Vegas concerts.”

    “As many of you know, I’ve been dealing with some health challenges, and my doctors tell me that I must have a few procedures. As I joked with them, it must be time for my 100,000-mile check-up, although it’s not the usual trip to see my plastic surgeon!” she wrote.

    “In all seriousness, given this, I am not going to be able to rehearse and put together the show that I want you to see, and the show that you deserve to see. You pay good money to see me perform, and I want to be at my best for you,” the 9 to 5 singer explained.

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    Parton said that she will still be able to work on all of her projects from Nashville but she needs “a little time to get show ready, as they say.”

    She assured fans to not “worry about me quittin’ the business because God hasn’t said anything about stopping yet.”

    “But, I believe He is telling me to slow down right now so I can be ready for more big adventures with all of you,” she added. “I love you and thank you for understanding.”

    Parton was scheduled to perform six shows at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace for “Dolly: Live in Las Vegas” between Dec. 4 and Dec. 13, overlapping with the National Finals Rodeo. Her dates have been moved to late next year — September 2026.

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    Tickets are valid for the new dates and refunds will be available, Parton’s statement added.

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    Earlier this month, Parton was unable to attend the announcement of a new ride at her Tennessee theme park Dollywood due to health issues.

    “I had a kidney stone that was causing me a lot of problems, turned out it’d given me an infection and the doctor said, ‘You don’t need to be travelling right this minute, so you need a few days to get better,’” Parton said in a video announcement at the time.


    “So, he suggested I not go to Dollywood today, but I’m there with you in spirit. I was looking so forward to it,” she added.

    Trending Now

    In March, Parton announced that Carl Thomas Dean, her husband of nearly 60 years, had died.

    “Carl Dean, husband of Dolly Parton, passed away March 3rd in Nashville at the age of 82. He will be laid to rest in a private ceremony with immediate family attending. He was survived by his siblings Sandra and Donnie,” a statement on her Instagram page read.

    A quote from Parton was also included. It read, “Carl and I spent many wonderful years together. Words can’t do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years. Thank you for your prayers and sympathy.”

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    “The family has asked for privacy during this difficult time,” the post added.

    Parton also released her new single If You Hadn’t Been There the same month, in honour of her longtime husband.

    “I fell in love with Carl Dean when I was 18 years old. We have spent 60 precious and meaningful years together,” Parton wrote.

    “Like all great love stories, they never end. They live on in memory and song. He will always be the star of my life story, and I dedicate this song to him.”

    — With files from The Associated Press

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  • Dolly Parton postpones Las Vegas concerts after doctor said she must have

    Dolly Parton is postponing her upcoming Las Vegas concerts over recent “health challenges,” she announced Sunday.

    In an Instagram post, the 79-year-old performer said her doctor told her she must have “a few procedures” but didn’t go into details.

    Parton, who experienced the lost her husband of over 60 years in March, appeared in good spirit, joking that “it must be time for my 100,000-mile check-up, although it’s not the usual trip to see my plastic surgeon!”

    Due to her health problems, Parton said she won’t be able to rehearse for the Vegas show, but she will still be able to work on all her other projects from Nashville.

    “You pay good money to pay me perform, and I want to be at my best for you,” she said.

    The shows scheduled from Dec. 4 through Dec. 13 have been postponed until September 2026, her announcement said.

    One of Parton’s other upcoming projects include a Broadway musical based on her life story. “Hello, I’m Dolly” will come to Broadway in 2026 with music and lyrics by Parton.

    Kiki Intarasuwan

    Kiki Intarasuwan is a news editor for CBS News & Stations.

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  • Dolly Parton Postpones All Vegas Concerts 9 Months Due to ‘Health Challenges’ – Casino.org

    Posted on: September 28, 2025, 07:05h. 

    Last updated on: September 28, 2025, 07:10h.

    • Dolly Parton has postponed all six dates of her Caesars Palace mini-residency due to health concerns
    • The country music legend said she will need to undergo “a few procedures”
    • Instead of taking place in December, her shows have been bumped to September 2026

    Dolly Parton has postponed all six shows of her upcoming Las Vegas mini-residency, scheduled for December at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace, until September 2026. The 79-year-old country legend blames what she calls “health challenges,” though she did not detail what they were.

    Tickets to Parton’s December 2025 run all sold out the day they went on sale, making her only the fourth performer in the history of the Colosseum at Caesars Palace to accomplish this feat after Celine Dion, Garth Brooks and Adele. (Image: Live Nation)

    Parton promises to perform the six concerts (December 4, 6, 7, 10, 12 and 13) on September 17, 19, 20, 23, 25 and 26, 2026 instead.

    “I am not going to be able to rehearse and put together the show that I want you to see, and the show that you deserve to see,” the “9 to 5” singer wrote in a message to fans via Instagram on Sunday, Sept. 28.

    “As many of you know, I have been dealing with some health challenges, and my doctors tell me that I must have a few procedures,” Parton continued. “As I joked with them, it must be time for my 100,000-mile check-up, although it’s not the usual trip to see my plastic surgeon!”

    Parton may be vaguely referring to an engagement she just missed in Dollywood, her theme Tennessee theme park, on September 17.

    “I had a kidney stone that was causing me a lot of problems,” she told fans in a video made for event attendees. “It turned out it’d given me an infection, and the doctor said, ‘You don’t need to be traveling right this minute, so you need a few days to get better.’”

    The Colosseum concerts were to have marked the first time Parton performed in Las Vegas for 32 years. Now they will mark her first time in 33 years.

    “Don’t worry about me quittin’ the business because God hasn’t said anything about stopping yet,” she wrote in her message. “But, I believe He is telling me to slow down right now so I can be ready for more big adventures in life.”

    Tickets purchased for the original dates will be honored for the corresponding new dates. Refunds are also available.

    “I love you and thank you for understanding,” Parton signed her note.

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  • 34 wedding songs to add to your playlist, from Taylor Swift to Beyoncé

    Planning a wedding is hard enough – so let us help you with your wedding songs playlist.

    As family, friends, work colleagues and others from all corners, flavours and stages of your life flood onto one dancefloor at once wedding reception, it can feel overwhelming to come up with a refined idea of what songs absolutely do or don’t need to play.

    You want a mix of romance, fun and nostalgia – and GLAMOUR has got you covered.

    From soundtrack classics to disco legends here are our top 34 suggestions for the best wedding songs to add to your playlist.

    Lover by Taylor Swift

    This Tay track is completely interwoven with wedding references. Though she wrote it during her previous relationship with Joe Alwyn, it still rings true as a gorgeous testament to the magic of getting married to this day, whoever it might have originally been written about. Plus, it’s a waltz. An extra romantic factor.

    Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It) by Beyoncé

    Because every single lady at a wedding reception should have a song dedicated to them.

    At Last by Etta James

    Arguably one of the most romantic, swoonworthy tunes of all time from the world’s most incredible voice. It tells a story of finally finding the one for you, so what better time to belt it out than on your wedding day?

    (I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes

    The Dirty Dancing classic track is a must for wedding receptions, whether or not you choose to recreate that lift on the dancefloor.

    Shut Up And Dance by Walk the Moon

    A 2014 anthem that will get even the most shy wedding guest in the mood for dancing. The band’s lead singer, Nicholas Petricca, was inspired to write the song about the night he met his girlfriend on an LA dancer when she invited him to dance. Cute.

    You Make My Dreams by Daryl Hall & John Oates

    We love this 1980s classic, made famous amongst Millennial pop culture with its use in 500 Days Of Summer when protagonist Tom (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) breaks out into a solo dance routine in the street after sleeping with Summer (Zooey Deschanel) for the first time.

    Dancing Queen by Abba

    There’s no better song to scream along to on a wedding reception dancefloor with your best friends, distant relatives, whoever is around!

    Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison

    Van Morrison’s iconic track centred around the magic of first love is an essential for a wedding reception playlist centred around the charm of romance.

    The Best by Tina Turner

    Even if you haven’t seen Dan Levy’s iconic scene lip syncing along to this track in Schitt’s Creek, it still remains one of the best singalong songs about love and devotion of all time. Scream along to it with your friends, family and all other loved ones.

    Shallow by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper

    An ultimate, showstopping performance from Lady Gaga in this one – is anyone still crying from A Star Is Born? Whether you want to re-enact the Ally and Jackson Maine dynamic with your other half or just let out all the emotions of the day by screeching “I’M OFF THE DEEP END” on the dancefloor, both are your prerogative.

    I Wanna Dance With Somebody by Whitney Houston

    We all want to dance with somebody who loves us – especially at a wedding. Grab anybody who looks game and bust a move to one of Whitney’s very very best.

    Wonderwall by Oasis

    Love it or hate it, it’s not a UK wedding reception without a Britpop singalong. Perhaps one to schedule for the end of the night, when you all feel like joining hands and wailing at the ceiling before the lights inevitably come on: “I said maybeeeeeeeee”.

    I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing by Aerosmith

    Epic epic epic. The unforgettable soundtrack to 1998’s Armageddon and a must-listen on so many wedding dancefloors. And let’s face it, your wedding night should have a more romantic ending than that movie!

    Islands In The Stream by Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers

    One of our favourite duets of all time – Dolly Parton is an angel sent from Heaven and can do no wrong in our eyes, especially when it comes to cultivating the ultimate wedding song playlist. Islands In The Stream is a gem, whether you fancy a little slow dance or to shout the lyrics at each other from across the dancefloor.

    You’re Still The One by Shania Twain

    Shania’s first top 10 hit is an ultimate for any romantic occasion, in our opinion. While I Feel Like A Woman is your go-to for empowerment, You’re Still The One is the perfect encapsulation of what true love feels like.

    Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond

    It’s not just for celebratory times in football stadiums, this one. Reportedly written for Neil Diamond’s second wife Marcia (Caroline, just sounded better, apparently), it’s all about the good times when you’re together. Perfection.

    Crazy In Love by Beyoncé ft Jay-Z

    What better way to see in your big day than a dancing to this infectious track from one of the most iconic couples of all time? Take a leaf out of Bonnie and Clyde’s book and wiggle that booty after a few wines, it’ll feel so good.

    Ain’t No Mountain High Enough by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell

    It’s no wedding songs playlist without Marvin Gaye, we can’t lie. The Motown legend certainly knows how to create the romance, and his duet with Tammi Terre is one for the ages.

    Best Of My Love by The Emotions

    A true 1970s tune that never gets old. It’s groovy, catchy and all about giving everything you can to the person you love. All the things you want when you’re dancing the night away post-ceremony.

    Marry You by Bruno Mars

    Whether you’re a die-hard Bruno Mars fan or not, you can’t deny this one is one for the wedding songs playlist. It’s got a good beat, sweet lyrics and church bells play as part of the melody – it’s a no brainer.

    (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher & Higher by Jackie Wilson

    Hip shaking central, here. If you can’t drag the most reluctant of wedding guest dancers onto the dancefloor during the trumpet solo towards the end, we don’t know what to tell you.

    Isn’t She Lovely by Stevie Wonder

    While Stevie reportedly wrote this legendary track for his daughter Aisha Morris, it pretty much works for the bride or any other lady you love in your life, really.

    Can’t Help Falling in Love by Elvis Presley

    Arguably a classic choice for a first dance. A schmoozy, bittersweet, tears-in-your-eyes kind of track. Slow dance, slow kiss, slow everything to this song – you’ll remember it forever.

    This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) by Natalie Cole

    A great dancealong – and not just because it was expertly placed in the A Cinderella Story soundtrack back in the Noughties. What better track to play on a day celebrating everlasting love, after all?

    Let’s Stay Together by Al Green

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  • Dolly Parton Invites Kate Middleton & Kids to Dollywood

    Dolly Parton sent invites to Kate Middleton and her kids. Is the Royal Family headed to Dollywood?

    It is a rare honor when true royalty is gracious enough to extend their hand. But Dolly Parton is a deeply gracious person, and she did just that for the next Queen of England and for her young children.

    That is to say, Dolly Parton has invited Kate Middleton to bring Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis to visit her theme park.

    Will the royal family take her up on the invitation?

    Dolly Parton on June 6, 2024.
    Dolly Parton speaks onstage during Kicking Off CMA Fest: A Special Conversation With Dolly Parton Hosted By Rachel Smith at Music City Center on June 06, 2024. (Photo Credit: Jason Kempin/Getty Images)

    The one and only Dolly Parton has invited Kate Middleton and her three kids

    In addition to her music, her acting career, and her profound charity work, Dolly Parton also has her very own theme park.

    Dollywood is a gem in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. And fortunately, that area was spared the brunt of Hurricane Helene’s devastating impact upon the region in late September.

    In a new interview, Dolly Parton actually invited 11-year-old George, 9-year-old Charlotte, and 6-year-old Louis to Dollywood. And, of course, their mother.

    Kate Middleton, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, and Prince William on June 15, 2024.Kate Middleton, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, and Prince William on June 15, 2024.
    Prince George of Wales, Prince William, Prince of Wales, Prince Louis of Wales, Princess Charlotte of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales during Trooping the Colour at Buckingham Palace on June 15, 2024. (Photo Credit: Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

    Speaking to Closer in a new interview, Dolly Parton spoke about her desire to have Kate Middleton and the royal children visit Dollywood.

    “Oh, I would absolutely love for them to come to Dollywood, that would be fantastic!” the music legend declared.

    “The kids could go on all the rides,” Dolly Parton affirmed, “and we would treat them like royalty!”

    Dolly Parton on October 11, 2023.Dolly Parton on October 11, 2023.
    Dolly Parton speaks onstage at the 53rd Anniversary Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala at Music City Center on October 11, 2023. (Photo Credit: Jason Kempin/Getty Images)

    ‘I would love to have those kids at Dollywood’

    “I’d give Kate my mashed potatoes — I wouldn’t put on any airs for them,” Dolly Parton promised. She is famously down-to-earth.

    “I would just let them enjoy what we enjoy, and I’m sure that’s the way they would want it,” she added.

    Dolly Parton then affirmed the invites to Kate and her kids: “I would love to have those kids at Dollywood.”

    Kate Middleton on July 14, 2024.Kate Middleton on July 14, 2024.
    Britain’s Catherine, Princess of Wales waves as she arrives to attend the men’s singles final tennis match on the fourteenth day of the 2024 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 14, 2024. (Photo Credit: HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images)

    Back in August of 2023, Dolly Parton admitted that she had received an invitation to join Kate Middleton for tea.

    However, she had to decline. She was in the UK to promote her rock album, Rockstar. Her schedule was simply too busy to accept the royal invitation.

    It was not even her first time receiving an invitation to meet with the royal family.

    Dolly Parton on November 16, 2023.Dolly Parton on November 16, 2023.
    Dolly Parton attends Dolly Parton’s Rockstar VIP Album Release Party with American Greetings on November 16, 2023. (Photo Credit: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for American Greetings)

    She met the late Queen Elizabeth … many years ago

    Dolly Parton met Queen Elizabeth in 1977, during the late monarch’s Silver Jubilee. In the years since, she has praised the queen’s demeanor and manners.

    As part of her royal duties as a sort of publicly funded mascot for the UK, Kate Middleton engages in a lot of charity projects. Dolly Parton is famously one of the most charitable people on the planet, having giftend over 200 million books worldwide to children through her Imagination Library.

    If Dolly does have a chance to have tea with Kate, they’d have plenty of common ground. Even if they come from altogether different worlds.

    Simon Delott

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  • Dolly Parton’s Path to Happiness: It Takes Work – 247 News Around The World

    Dolly Parton’s Path to Happiness: It Takes Work – 247 News Around The World

    • Dolly Parton’s Path to Happiness emphasizes that happiness requires deliberate effort and conscious choice every day.
    • She believes in actively working towards happiness, stating, “You have to work at being happy. Some people work at being miserable.”
    • In times of struggle or illness, Parton seeks proactive solutions to enhance her well-being.
    • A positive attitude and gratitude for life’s blessings are central to her philosophy.
    • Her upbringing in rural Tennessee has significantly shaped her resilient character.
    • Parton expresses appreciation for her childhood experiences, even the difficult ones that contributed to her growth.

    Country music legend Dolly Parton has long been known for her sunny disposition and optimistic outlook. However, the 78-year-old singer recently revealed that maintaining this positivity isn’t as effortless as it may seem. According to Parton, happiness requires deliberate effort and a conscious choice every day.

    In an interview with The Guardian, Parton shared her perspective on cultivating happiness:

    Dolly Parton’s Path to Happiness: It Takes Work | SheKnows

    “You have to work at being happy. Some people work at being miserable.”

    This statement highlights the intentional nature of her approach to maintaining a positive mindset.

    Parton explains that when faced with challenging mornings or difficult circumstances, she actively seeks ways to improve her situation rather than succumbing to negativity. She emphasizes the importance of having a good attitude and finding gratitude in life’s blessings. As she puts it,

    “I just try to have a good attitude and make things right; to be grateful for the things I have, thank God, and look for spiritual strength for myself.”

    The country icon credits her upbringing in rural Tennessee for shaping her resilient personality. Despite facing hardships alongside her family and community, Parton expresses gratitude for her childhood experiences.

    She reflects,

    Dolly Parton's Path to Happiness: It Takes Work
    Dolly Parton’s Path to Happiness: It Takes Work | Fox News

    “Everybody where we grew up had a hard time. We were mountain people. Most people were poor, but we didn’t realise that we were poor until some smart-head said so.”

    Interestingly, Dolly Parton notes that her family’s modest lifestyle during her youth hasn’t diminished her appreciation for her current success. She states,

    “We had good parents, but we didn’t have all the big luxuries that I’m able to afford now. But I wouldn’t trade it for nothing. The only thing I regret is that my parents had a hard time, but they never complained, so why should I?”

    This perspective offers valuable insights into Parton’s character and her ability to maintain a positive outlook despite life’s challenges. Her story serves as a reminder that happiness is often the result of conscious choices and a grateful heart, rather than simply a natural state of being.

    By sharing her personal journey and philosophy, Dolly Parton inspires others to cultivate their own path to happiness through determination and gratitude.

    Also Read: Bruce Jones Shares Candid Thoughts on Coronation Street Changes

    Last Updated on November 1, 2024 by 247 News Around The World

    247 News Around The World

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  • Dolly Parton Donates $1 Million to Hurricane Helene Relief Effort

    Dolly Parton Donates $1 Million to Hurricane Helene Relief Effort

    Dolly Parton just gets better and better. The pop culture icon, who in recent months has welcomed Beyonce into the country music fold, forgiven an admittedly “hammered” Elle King for a blurry birthday tribute, and—perhaps most gloriously—freed herself from the burden of text messages, announced Friday that she would donate $1 million to the relief efforts following Hurricane Helene, a Category 4 hurricane that experts have termed one of the biggest storm systems to ever hit the U.S.

    The weather event, which impacted much of the south late last month, has been linked to over 200 deaths, with even more people still considered missing across states including Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, the Carolinas, Virginia, Tennessee and across the Appalachian mountains. As the scale of damage came into focus, it’s been estimated that the Southeast region suffered losses that run as high as an estimated $250 billion.

    That’s a figure that tops the worth of the world’s richest man Elon Musk, who allegedly clocks in at $258 billion. Speaking of Musk, its worth noting that thus far, his gesture toward the disaster has been to spread misinformation and falsehoods via X (formerly Twitter), the social media platform he’s owned since the fall of 2022. Musk’s claims, which have been debunked by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, include false allegations that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) blocked relief and recovery flights through the disaster zone, and that FEMA “is actively blocking citizens who try to help.”

    “No one is shutting down the airspace and FAA doesn’t block legitimate rescue and recovery flights,” Buttigieg said in response. And according to a statement from FEMA, “There are no airspace restrictions in place in North Carolina as rescue efforts continue because of Hurricane Helene…The FAA is working with local authorities to ensure rescue efforts happen safely.”

    But while Musk tweets (and reportedly heads to Butler, PA to join Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump for a rally at the site of June’s assassination attempt against the former president), Dolly Parton is taking action. The singer and actress called a press conference at a Walmart in Newport, Tennessee to announce her $1 million donation to Mountain Ways Foundation, a nonprofit established by local businesses and philanthropists in the wake of the hurricane to support recovery across the Greater Appalachian region.

    “These are special people here; they’re my people,” the 78-year-old native of Locust Ridge, Tennessee said at the event.

    “I feel like all people are my people, but everyone here grew up in the mountains just like I did, so of course I have a close connection to them. I can’t stand to see anyone hurting, so I wanted to do what I could to help after these terrible floods.”

    “Who would’ve known that in this little part of the country where I was born and raised would have this kind of devastation,” she said. “I am totally with you because I am part of you.”

    Parton’s donation will be matched by a number of her East Tennessee-based businesses, including her philanthropic organization, the Dollywood Foundation, In addition, Walmart U.S. CEO John Furner announced that Walmart, Sam’s Club and the Walmart Foundation would donate an additional $10 million to support storm victims and the recovery effort.

    Furner, whose family moved to Franklin, Tennessee in 1979, said that “We’ll be here. Not until the media leaves, but until we recover. And that’s what’s going to happen here, we’re going to recover.”

    According to Parton, this pool of donations is just the beginning. “I wanted to announce that from myself personally, just from my own bank account, I’m donating a million dollars today,” she said, “but there’s a lot to be done, and we’re trying to find other ways to even raise more funds.”

    This isn’t the first time Parton has made headlines for a sizable donation in a time of crisis. The Black Lives Matter supporter donated $1 million towards vaccine research at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, and another $1 million toward pediatric infectious disease research in 2022. But at Friday’s press conference, she shrugged off those donations, telling WVLT that “You’re never prepared, you just try to step up. God has been good to me, and so has the public, so I want to feel like I’m doing my part.”

    Eve Batey

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  • Dolly Parton to donate $1 million to Hurricane Helene relief efforts

    Dolly Parton to donate $1 million to Hurricane Helene relief efforts

    Helene flooding victims, flood insurance


    Why many Helene flooding victims don’t have flood insurance

    04:38

    Appalachia native Dolly Parton said Friday she will donate $1 million for Hurricane Helene relief efforts. 

    Parton said the $1 million will go to the Mountain Ways Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing immediate assistance to Hurricane Helene flood victims.

    “These are special people here; they’re my people,” Parton said during an event announcing the donation at a Walmart in Newport, Tennessee. “I feel like all people are my people, but everyone here grew up in the mountains just like I did, so of course I have a close connection to them. I can’t stand to see anyone hurting, so I wanted to do what I could to help after these terrible floods.”

    The country music icon was born in Locust Ridge, Tennessee to a poor family living deep in rural Appalachia — and Parton has often written about her childhood and the region in her songs, including hits such as “Smoky Mountain Memories” and “My Tennessee Mountain Home.” 

    She was joined by Walmart U.S. CEO John Furner, who said the company, including Sam’s Club and the Walmart Foundation, would donate a total of $10 million to hurricane relief efforts across the affected states. Parton’s associated businesses, including Dollywood Parks & Resorts and The Dollywood Foundation, also announced they would match Parton’s donation with another $1 million to the Mountain Ways Foundation.

    At least 225 people have been confirmed dead after Helene swept through the Southeast, and officials say they expect the death toll to rise as recovery efforts continue. Satellite images showed large areas of North Carolina devastated by the storm. President Biden said Friday the work to rebuild the damage will cost “billions of dollars.”

    Parton said she hopes her donations will inspire others to donate and assist in the massive recovery efforts. 

    “I hope we can all be a little bit of light in the world for our friends, our neighbors — even strangers — during this dark time they are experiencing.”

    Cara Tabachnick

    Cara Tabachnick is a news editor at CBSNews.com. Cara began her career on the crime beat at Newsday. She has written for Marie Claire, The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal. She reports on justice and human rights issues. Contact her at cara.tabachnick@cbsinteractive.com

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  • Celebrity Photographer Vijat Mohindra On Shooting Plastic Girls in Plastic Worlds

    Celebrity Photographer Vijat Mohindra On Shooting Plastic Girls in Plastic Worlds

    Tinashe for Gay Times Magazine. Copyright © Vijat M Photography, 2024. All Rights Reserved.

    Hollywood’s favorite photographer, Vijat Mohindra, is living the dream. He’s shot Kim Kardashian multiple times since 2009, to market Skims and her scent and just because. You’ve probably seen his photos of Doja Cat, Miley Cyrus, Dolly Parton, Cardi B… the list of his subjects is long and populated by luminaries from across the spectrum of celebrity. He’s shot Pamela Anderson for Paper. Nicki Minaj for Complex.

    How can you spot a photo taken by Mohindra? There’s the signature colorful, Pop-ish aesthetic possibly best described as Barbie-esque. But despite the candy pink and blue and yellow plastic fantastic backdrops, Vijat’s subjects are always vibrant, dynamic and very much portraying themselves. Perhaps that’s not surprising, as he learned the ropes from famed celebrity photographer David LaChapelle. In the years since, he’s shot music videos, magazine spreads, album covers and more for some of the world’s top talent.

    Machine Gun Kelly for Billboard. Copyright © Vijat M Photography, 2024. All Rights Reserved.

    Mohindra is still shooting, but he’s been branching out. Earlier this year, he opened his first studio space in downtown Los Angeles, Powder Room Studio LA, which has a dozen uniquely Mohindra-esque sets in which to shoot everything from stills to reels. The 4500-square-foot space looks like Barbie’s 1990s-era dream house, and Paris Hilton and Christina Aguilera were early fans.

    We chatted with Mohindra on a busy weekday morning about the new studio, why he loves polished portraits and his advice for young photographers.

    Observer: What’s the story behind the Powder Room?

    Vijat Mohindra: I’ve been a photographer—a celebrity photographer—in Los Angeles for the last 15 years, and in those years, I designed and created a lot of different environments for my shoots. Over time, I started collecting all these amazing set pieces that were left over from my shoots. They were just too gorgeous to throw away. I had them in storage at one point and I looked through it all, and I said, oh my gosh, all this stuff looks so great together. Maybe I can put it together in a format that could bring it all to life. And then I realized that could also be a place where creatives, photographers, directors, filmmakers, etc., could come and see all these amazing pieces.

    The Living Room in Vijat Mohindra’s Powder Room Studio LA. Courtesy Vijat Mohindra

    It looks like a Barbie house to me. Why?

    It has that Barbie aesthetic because a lot of my work is very synthetic—very plastic, with a kind of glossy sheen to it. And then it all just sort of happened to have these different elements that coincided with the Barbie aesthetic but with a very ‘80s take on it. Pink is the color I use a lot. In a way, it made sense to create this surrealistic Barbie dream house experience.

    Selfie museums are still on the rise—can just anyone come in and take some snaps with the sets?

    Honestly, the space is for everybody. I have a lot of people from Instagram and TikTok coming in who just book the space for a few hours to create their own videos.

    How common is this type of space in L.A.?

    I’ve heard from some other people who have studios with a similar type of setup, with standing sets. They started back maybe around like 2018 or 2019, when there were maybe a thousand or so listings online of places like this throughout the Los Angeles area that could be rented for shoots. Now in 2024, it is up to around 8,000 spaces like this. It’s something that exploded in a way. Not all the spaces listed are aesthetic and design-focused the way mine is. I feel like the Powder Room is a very special category.

    Let’s talk about your work. How do you feel about Photoshop?

    I’m a big fan of Photoshop. I went to school for photography at the Art Center in Pasadena around 2003—right when film was switching over to digital—and I graduated around 2007. That was when this big debate was going on as to whether film was the future or digital. But when I took a digital photography class toward the beginning of my education, I realized that it was the way of the future.

    It was amazing to be able to get all these different pictures and put them on the computer right away. You didn’t have to scan or retouch negatives. Photoshop opened a whole other dimension of creativity that wasn’t there for me with film. So, I’m a huge fan. I think it is beautiful, and it enhances pictures in an amazing way. That said, I still have respect for and really love certain film photography. I think there’s value in it, and I do see a lot of people going back to that nowadays as a trend because so much digital photography is over-saturated.

    Paris Hilton for Gay Times Magazine. Copyright © Vijat M Photography, 2024. All Rights Reserved.

    How do you feel about representing celebrities in a flawless way?

    In a flawless way?

    Glossy. That very L.A. aesthetic.

    I really love a polished celebrity photograph that is very well-lit and has that glossy, punchy aesthetic to it. I’ve always been inspired by that type of celebrity photography going back to the ‘70s and ‘80s with Andy Warhol and the Interview Magazine covers. I think that it brings that glamor and special sort of sparkle that we kind of associate with celebrities. I like photographing them that way because I think that’s the way I see them in my head. And so that’s the way I want to put them on paper—to show people how I see them. I feel like it’s very powerful and it’s kind of show-stopping.

    What’s it like behind the scenes once you actually get to know these celebrities?

    For most of my celebrity photographs, there have been a lot of collaborative experiences where I will work with the artist to figure out what their aesthetic is or what drives them. And we build a concept around that and bring it to life from there. I really like finding out more about a celebrity’s personality and their background and what they’re interested in and then pulling that into what we create together.

    Shannon and Shannade Clermont. Copyright © Vijat M Photography, 2024. All Rights Reserved.

    Who are some of your favorite celebrity photographers and why?

    My absolute favorite is David LaChapelle; he’s just one of my icons. I have been very lucky to have been able to assist him at one point during my career, which was a huge highlight. I just love his take on celebrity photography. It’s so different from anything that I’ve seen and is so imaginative and creative. I really look up to the creativity that he brings to the celebrity photography world. He takes celebrities out of their worlds and puts them in this hyper-creative, colorful, aesthetically driven space that I just find so beautiful. I also love the work of Annie Leibovitz, as well as Pierre and Gilles, a French photography duo who shoot creative portraiture that’s aesthetically driven. I love Miles Aldridge, who’s more of a fashion photographer but shoots celebrities in ways that are highly creative and very colorful.

    Miley Cyrus. Copyright © Vijat M Photography, 2024. All Rights Reserved.

    What is next for you now that the space is open?

    I’ve been working a lot on Powder Room Studio LA—trying to get it up and running. It only launched this past January, but I’m happy to say that we are pretty booked up at this point. We’ve been getting quite a few bookings from brands as well as individuals, and we’ve gotten some great celebrities into the studio, too, like Paris Hilton and Cardi B. The space has been getting some great recognition, and that’s still my focus.

    Last question. What advice do you have for young photographers entering the industry?

    I’d give them the same advice I was given when I was in photography school, which I still think about to this day. One of my professors told me that you should always shoot what you love, and that really left a lasting impression on me. I feel like if you’re not shooting what you love, you don’t really put the same passion behind it. Passion is what really shows in your overall body of work—it’s the thing that people connect with the most.

    Check out Vijat on Instagram at @vijatm.   

    The unassuming exterior of Powder Room Studio LA. Courtesy Vijat Mohindra

    Celebrity Photographer Vijat Mohindra On Shooting Plastic Girls in Plastic Worlds

    Nadja Sayej

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