Dolly Parton has lived a long and mega-successful life in the spotlight. The iconic singer’s talents have transcended decades and styles; she’s been a fixture at the top of the entertainment industry since almost any of us can remember.

Yet even one so legendary as she is forced to face up to her critics. As per reports, there’s been a few of them active of late, giving her a hard time about her looks – yes, this despite the fact she’s approaching her eighties. Dolly Parton, 77, is a household name in both country music and the celebrity sphere.

The Tennessee native has become nothing short of a legend and, despite performing and singing pretty much her entire life, she has loved to entertain her legions of fans. Dolly Parton, in a recent interview with Pollystar, explained that she would not be touring anymore. She explained:

“I’ll do special shows here and there, now and then. Maybe do a long weekend of shows, or just a few shows at a festival. But I have no intention of going on a full-blown tour anymore.” Dolly Parton, who managed to reach the very top of world entertainment after growing up in poverty in the Appalachian Mountains, will certainly be missed on the stage.

Yet while her popularity is undeniable, there remain those who criticize her for the way she looks.

In fact, her appearance appears to have been a sticking point almost since her career started. In the past, Dolly’s even recalled people telling her to ditch her signature look if she ever wanted a real career.

“The main advice that people want to give me was to change my look – to go simpler with my hair and the way that I dress,” she explained,

“Not to look so cheap, nobody was ever going to take me seriously, they would say.”

Over the years, the mean comments haven’t gone away. If anything, some people feel even more vindicated in labeling Dolly in ways that seem wholly unfair.

One Twitter user wrote: “Dolly Parton is One ugly lady,” while another said: “Dolly Parton is so ugly, but she got nice breasts.”

Through all the unkindness and vitriol from folks online, though, Dolly remains upbeat in her defiance. She’s perfectly comfortable with her body and looks, and isn’t about to change for anyone.

“It costs a lot of money to look this cheap,” she once famously said.

As for husband, the country icon has revealed in the past that he loves her no matter what.

“He doesn’t care if I’m fat,” said Parton.

“He was never turned off. He’s fool enough to think I’m the sexiest, prettiest woman in the world.”

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Dolly remains hungry for success and fresh challenges. As per Rolling Stone, she’s ready to now embrace her 2022 entry into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and wants to honor it by way of delivering an album that some might consider to be outside of her wheelhouse.

Fans were delighted last year when it became apparent that Dolly Parton was in consideration for a place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame after her stellar career.

Yet, if sources are to be believed, the superstar herself was initially reluctant to be in the conversation for the honor. The Jolene singer was said to be of the opinion that since her career consists mostly of country music, others were perhaps more suited to finding their way into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

In the end, however, the people spoke, and voters decided that Dolly did belong there. In November, she was inducted into the Hall of Fame, and immediately set about trying to ensure that her selection was justified.