Dolly Parton will be guest, not judge, on Season 7
She does seem a little too soft for “American Idol.”
That’s exactly why country superstar Dolly Parton said she turned down the chance to be a guest judge on the hit reality series. She’ll leave the judging — and nasty comments — to Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson and, obviously, Simon Cowell.
“I couldn’t do that,” Parton said of judging.” I can’t tell people they aren’t doing a good job even if they ask me. To tell someone they’re good or bad, or if they suck isn’t me.”
The 61-year-old country music icon will appear on a special episode, where singers will get to work backstage with the woman who wrote “I Will Always Love You.” That hit, one of many for Parton during her long career, was made more famous when it later was recorded and released by Whitney Houston, arguably the most imitated singer on “Idol.”
Parton, a Grammy Award-winning and Academy Award-nominated performer, is the perfect fit as a celebrity guest on the show. The singer’s hits, which also include “Coat of Many Colors,” “Jolene” and “9 to 5,” offers contestants a large catalog of songs from which to choose. She also defines what it means to be a true idol. She’s not only a singer and actress, but she also is an accomplished songwriter, composer, author and philanthropist. Plus, the Tennessee-born superstar also has her own theme park.
After last season’s star-studded season — Celine Dion, Olivia Newton John and Tony Bennett were just a few of the guests — it appears the folks behind the scenes at “Idol” still are counting on the celebrity factor to draw in new fans. Parton certainly is a good start for Season 7.
American Idol, Dolly Parton, Whitney Houston, Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson, Celine Dion
March 28th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
[...] legend will serve as this season’s first celebrity mentor. Earlier this year, Parton said she wouldn’t judge the contestants … but we’ll [...]