5 Things We Learned from Dolly Parton’s Chat on ‘Khloé in Wonder Land’

Every time Dolly Parton steps up to a microphone, she reminds us why she’s a once in a lifetime icon. On Khloe in Wonder Land, the country legend and the youngest Kardashian sister settle in for an hour that feels half gossip, half master class in hustle, humor, and the holy. True to form, Parton serves the kind of quotable gold that keeps fans clipping soundbites and updating vision boards.

The conversation is warm, unfiltered, and full of the surprising side notes that make Parton’s story even juicier than you thought. Kardashian mostly sits back in wide-eyed admiration, nudging her guest into one revelation after another while dropping the occasional “Amen” for good measure. Together, they serve five fresh nuggets that even lifelong Dollyphiles might have missed.

1. She wakes up with “new dreams every day”

Parton doesn’t just dream big—she dreams daily. She laughs, “I always say I wake up with new dreams every day…and your dreams are killing us,” tipping her hat to the beleaguered team tasked with keeping up.

That relentless energy fuels her six decade career and keeps her output feeling brand new to this day. The moral of the story—Ambition is a muscle; flex it every morning.

2. Dollywood’s birthday cake used to be her stage prop

Forty years ago, Parton literally popped out of a cake to christen her theme park, Dollywood. “I came out of the cake in a white dress…this time I walked out of the cake,” she tells Kardashian, noting she’s “a little older now” but still the park’s “dreamer in chief.”

These days, Dollywood employs scores of locals, noting that “at least 40 of them are probably relatives of mine,” and consistently ranks among the top theme parks worldwide..

3. She turned down Elvis—and cried all night about it

Most artists would hand over the keys to Graceland for an Elvis cover, but Parton refused to surrender publishing on “I Will Always Love You.” She recounts Colonel Tom Parker’s ultimatum: “We don’t record anything with Elvis unless we have the publishing.” Her reply? “That’s my most important copyright, so you can’t have it.”

Parton admits, “I cried, but I couldn’t give it up.” Decades later, Whitney Houston’s blockbuster version made her millions—proof that sticking to your guns can pay heavenly dividends.

4. Songwriting starts with a three day fast in the mountains

While many writers reach for coffee, Parton reaches for prayer and a juice cleanse. She explains, “I try to set aside some time to go back up to the old Tennessee Mountain Home to fast a few days and detox the body,” calling the ritual a direct line to creativity.

Yes, she can jot lyrics anywhere (“I’ve always got a notepad, because something’s gonna come,” she says), but the mountain fast is where the anthems bloom. 

5. She found God in an abandoned church, and never looked back

Parton’s Pentecostal roots run deep, yet her most profound spiritual moment happened when she was alone in an abandoned church. “I felt the presence there,” she remembers. “I just had this peace fall over me, and I just felt like I had truly found God.” She says an inner voice told her, “You go and don’t you stop till I say stop.”

That directive still guides her balancing act between fame and faith. “Even with these high heels, I’m still grounded in my faith and my belief,” she smiles.

The legend of Dolly Parton keeps expanding

Kardashian closes by praising Parton’s “joyful heart,” but the singer waves off the compliment with modesty. She just wants to “make people happy,” write the next great chorus, and maybe hatch a few more outrageous dreams along the way.

If this chat proves anything, it’s that Dolly Parton still has layers we’re only beginning to peel back—one glitter-studded revelation at a time.

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