Dolly Parton's iconic wigs are central to her vibrant persona. While rare, moments revealing her natural hair beneath make headlines due to their sheer unexpectedness. Here are five documented occasions that genuinely surprised audiences:
The '9 to 5' Premiere (1980)
Arriving significantly late, a stressed Dolly rushed onto the red carpet without her signature full wig, sporting shorter, simpler blonde hair under a hat. Paparazzi captured the unusually low-key look amidst the glitzy event, shocking fans accustomed to her theatrical glamour.
On "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" (1980)
During a candid conversation about her image and wigs, Dolly famously demonstrated how her hairpieces worked right there on stage, briefly lifting a section near her forehead to reveal her real, fine blonde hair underneath to a stunned studio audience and Carson.
Filming 'Steel Magnolias' (1989)
For the character Truvy Jones's "at-home" scenes, Dolly opted for a toned-down look. Behind-the-scenes photos show her with significantly less voluminous hair than her typical stage persona, showcasing a softer, more natural style rarely seen publicly at the height of her fame.
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Visit (Circa 2000s)
While known for visits wearing elaborate wigs to delight children, Dolly was photographed once interacting with a young patient wearing only her natural, much shorter and thinner blonde hair. This private moment captured unintentionally emphasized her genuine compassion over artifice.
Rehearsals for "Christmas of Many Colors" (2015)
Set photos from the NBC TV movie biopic depicted Dolly Parton (played by Jennifer Nettles) in scenes showing her real childhood hair. While not Dolly herself unveiled "in the moment," these images publicly presented the genuine appearance of her natural hair texture and style during her youth for the first time to many.
These instances stand out precisely because Dolly Parton meticulously controls her image. Seeing the deliberate choice behind the famous facade offers a unique glimpse into the authentic person beneath the rhinestones.
