Does Polly Parton have lots of tattoos? The truth behind popular fan theory
Dolly Parton is co-hosting the American Country Music Awards on May 11 in Frisco, Texas.
In light of her hosting, along with singer Garth Brooks, a popular fan theory about the 77-year-old’s tattoos has resurfaced.
The singer has rarely been seen in a short-sleeved shirt, leading her fans to believe that the singer may have a lot of tattoos that she covers up.
And it may surprise some, but the singer does indeed have tattoos and has been open about it publicly – even though she doesn’t flaunt them.
Her pastel tattoos are of angels, ribbons, bows, butterflies, flowers and beehives. Dolly wears long sleeves to hide her keloids, scars and elbow insecurity
One of her tattoos is a red rose in the center of her chest. It was caught when the singer leaned too forward during her Joyful Noise Premiere red carpet in 2012
Dolly’s butterfly tattoo can be seen here if you look closely at the singer’s left arm
Does Dolly Parton have a lot of tattoos?
Dolly has several pastel tattoos featuring angels, ribbons, bows, butterflies, baskets of flowers and beehives.
One of her tattoos is a red rose below her chest. It was caught when the singer leaned too forward during her 2012 premiere of Joyful Noise on the red carpet.
The other tattoo is of a butterfly on her arm. It was captured under her translucent white button-down at her 9 to 5 anniversary party in 2006.
“I do have some tattoos, it’s true, but they’re tasteful. I’m not a tattoo artist,’ she said.
She first publicly admitted to having tattoos when she was a guest on the Jay Leno show in 1999.
The singer’s outfit philosophy shows a “go big or go home” attitude
Why Does Dolly Parton Always Wear Long Sleeves?
During her 50 years of successful and global career, the country sensation has notoriously kept to her long sleeves.
She wears them to cover up her raised keloids, her medical procedures, scars, and to hide her biggest insecurity: her elbows.
“I was very ill for a while and had to wear a feeding tube. It left a little dent in my side and I didn’t like it because I’m so blonde that scars turn purple on me,” she said.
“I’ve had surgery for several things, and if the scars don’t heal properly, I’ll just have to get tattoos to take the sting out.”
‘I like to turn the negative into something positive.’
Dolly’s three-decade creative director Steve Summers says, “People always ask why she always wears sleeves — well, she’s 73 years old and she doesn’t like her elbows.”
‘[They ask] “what’s with her hands?” She’s 73 and she doesn’t like them! It’s a normal woman thing.’
Whether Dolly wore sleeves or not, the singer always leaned towards bright colors and bold patterns for her outfits
Did Dolly Parton ever wear short sleeves?
She wore a black corset top, bright orange lipstick, black bunny ears, pink sequin bracelets and a collar, with a matching white sequin bow tie, to complete the iconic look in Playboy.
She was also pictured wearing short sleeves, while acting on the show 9 To 5 in the 1980s, where she was photographed in front of a typewriter, wearing a white gingham dress with pink, blue and green accents.
The iconic photo with a black corset top, pink sequin collar and white sequin bow tie
The 9 To 5 actress in a plaid dress with blue accents and a red belt
The blonde bombshell poses in a tight red-orange dress, with red nails and lipstick
Did Dolly Parton Do Her Playboy Cover Again At 75?
Dolly said early in her career that she would do the cover of Playboy magazine again when she turned 75, and when she reached the age, she kept her promise.
Unlike her original photo where she had short sleeves, she recreated the new photo with long sleeves.
She gifted the photo to her husband of over 60 years for his birthday.
Fans reposted the video Dolly posted saying, “God bless Dolly Parton.” She really is a legend!’
“Carl is a lucky man to get this for his birthday. You did, Dolly.’
Dolly and Carl have been married for 60 years
Dolly’s previous photos with Carl show her sleeveless
What is Dolly Parton up to now?
The country superstar will co-host the ACM Awards with singer Garth Brooks on May 11 in Frisco, Texas.
“While I’ve had the pleasure of spending time with him over the years, I can’t believe we never had the chance to work together,” she said.
Her statement continued, “In addition to seeing all this amazing new talent in country music, I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to premiere the first single from my upcoming rock album on the show!”
Dolly’s new song, World On Fire, premieres and the singer releases her rock album Rockstar on November 17.
The country singer in a cowgirl hat and yellow faux leather long sleeves
The album will feature 30 tracks and features Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, Lizzo, Sting, Chris Stapleton, Debbie Harry, Elton John, John Fogerty, Joan Jett, Steven Tyler, Peter Frampton and Kid Rock.
“I’m so excited to finally present my first rock and roll album,” she said.
“I am deeply honored and privileged to have worked with some of the greatest iconic singers and musicians of all time.
“I hope everyone enjoys the album as much as I enjoyed putting it together!”
Dolly was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2022.