Maren Morris on Meeting Dolly Parton: 'I Was Trying to Not Quote Steel Magnolias Obnoxiously'
Maren Morris had the most relatable interaction with Dolly Parton.
On the red carpet ahead of the 61st Grammy Awards on Sunday night, “The Middle” singer, 28, opened up to E! News about a recent encounter with the country music legend.
Morris told Ryan Seacrest she fan-girled over the icon, 73 — she was “just internally freaking out.”
“I met her, and I was trying to not quote Steel Magnolias at her obnoxiously,” Morris said of Parton’s classic 1989 film.
The country singer added that Parton is “a total pro,” playfully noting: “She and I are the same height!”
Morris, who helped honor Parton at the 2019 MusiCares Person of the Year event on Friday, said that Parton has been a major inspiration.
“Everything from being a businesswoman to being a songwriter to just being a woman in a man’s industry,” Morris explained, “and [I] just think that she’s paved the way for women like me and other artists who are maybe a little weird.”
Be sure to check out PEOPLE’s full Grammys coverage to get the latest news on music’s biggest night.
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“GIRL” singer Morris was nominated for five awards at the 2019 Grammys, including: record of the year and best pop duo/group performance for “The Middle” (with Zedd and Grey), best country solo performance (“Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters”) and best country duo/group performance and best country song for “Dear Hate.”
She is also slated to take the stage to perform in the Grammys’ Parton tribute, alongside Miley Cyrus, Little Big Town, Kacey Musgraves, Katy Perry — and even Parton herself.
The 61st Annual Grammy Awards are broadcasting live from Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, Feb. 10, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on CBS.
