Dolly Parton’s glittering exterior hides a soul forged in spiritual fire. In a rare CBS interview, the country legend bares her heart about finding God in the most unexpected places; a journey that shaped both her iconic career and the deeply personal faith that guides her; what she reveals will make you see the Queen of Country in a whole new light.
Sitting down with Norah O’Donnell, Dolly opens up about the childhood religious trauma that once terrified her, and how she rebuilt her faith on her own terms. With tears and laughter, she shares how an abandoned church became her sanctuary and why she now calls God “Dad” blending her signature humor with breathtaking vulnerability.
Extended Interview: Dolly Parton on Her Spirituality, Fashion and More
Viewers are calling this “Dolly’s most powerful interview ever.” Comments pour in like “She made me cry then immediately laugh; only Dolly!” and “This changed how I think about faith.” Many are stunned by her honesty about religious fear, with one fan writing: “She turned her pain into purpose; that’s true ministry.”
This spiritual awakening birthed one of Dolly’s most breathtaking performances; her Grammy-winning gospel rendition of “He’s Alive,” a song so powerful it stopped her tour bus in its tracks when she first heard it on the radio.
Dolly Parton – ‘He’s Alive’ (Live CMA Awards Performance)
Watch as Dolly’s voice cracks with raw emotion during this 1989 CMA performance, transforming the Nashville stage into a revival tent. The song which she recorded after pulling over to call a radio station about it; embodies her journey from fear to grace. That final sustained note? Pure spiritual ecstasy captured in sound.
#DollysFaith is trending, with fans sharing videos of themselves finding God in unlikely places; from subway platforms to laundromats; her Instagram features Sunday devotionals where she pairs Bible verses with makeup tutorials proving faith and glitter can coexist. “If my sparkle leads one person to hope,” she posts, “that’s my greatest hit.”