Dolly Parton Reveals the Real Reason She Turned Down the ‘American Idol’ Judge’s Seat: “I Don’t Want to Hurt Anyone!”

Country music legend Dolly Parton recently surprised fans by revealing the real reason she’s repeatedly said “no” to tempting offers from two hit shows, “American Idol” and “The Voice.” Although she has appeared as a guest mentor on both shows, Dolly has never taken on the role of a permanent judge or coach.

In a candid interview with E! News in May 2025, Dolly shared, “I’ve been asked to do that a lot of times. It’s too hard for me. That’s why I don’t accept it, because I know how sincere everybody is.” For Dolly, the thought of criticizing contestants—many of whom truly believe in their dreams—feels impossible. “Even if they’re not that good, they believe they are. And I just can’t hurt people,” she admitted.

But it’s not just her kind heart that keeps Dolly away from the judge’s chair. The superstar is busier than ever, currently celebrating the 40th anniversary of her beloved Dollywood theme park. Dolly reminisced about her early worries when Dollywood first opened: “I thought, ‘Well, what if they don’t [come]? What am I going to do?’ Then, I started seeing cars coming in, and I remember how exciting that feeling was when the parking lot filled up. Now it’s filling up all the time. And 40 years later, we’ve got them still coming.”

She continued, “I’m just very proud of all of it, because I’ve seen it grow. It’s like having a house full of kids. Every time something new goes in, it’s like, ‘Oh, we got a new baby, we got a new kid in the family.’” For Dolly, Dollywood is more than just a theme park—it’s a family legacy, and she’s as proud of it as anything she’s ever accomplished. “It’s an amazing park and it’s catered to families. And so we’re proud of that. I think I’m as proud of that as anything, that people want to come back.”

With her signature warmth and humility, Dolly Parton proves once again why she’s not just a country icon, but also a beloved figure who always puts kindness first.