Dolly Parton expertly shut down woman who tried to fashion shame her

With her bleach blonde larger-than-life hair, long red nails and rhinestone-studded outfits, Dolly Parton is a style icon in a league of her own.

But in an interview from 1977 that has resurfaced, one journalist tried to call Parton out for her fashion choices.

Luckily, the country-singing legend had the perfect response.

After interviewer Barbara Walters asked Parton to stand up to show off her bright-turquoise outfit, she told the singer:

You don't have to look like this, you’re very beautiful, you don’t have to wear the blonde wigs, you don’t have to wear the extreme clothes, right?

And Parton said:

It’s certainly a choice, I don’t like to be like everybody else.

I’ve often made the statement: I would never stoop so low as to be fashionable, that’s the easiest thing in the world to do…

Show business is a money-making joke and I’ve always liked telling jokes.

Then Walters asked:

Do you feel like you're a joke, that people make fun of you?

And Parton replied:

Oh I know they make fun of me, but actually all these years people have thought the joke was on me, but it’s actually on the public.

I am sure of myself as a person. I am sure of my talent. I’m sure of my love for life and that sort of thing.

I am very content, I like the kind of person that I am. 

So, I can afford to piddle around and do-diddle around with makeup and clothes and stuff because I am secure with myself.

People on Twitter were impressed by Parton’s graceful and self-assured response.

Nicely done Dolly.

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