Dolly Parton Wants to Recreate Her Famous 'Playboy' Cover At 75
Back in 1978, Dolly Parton appeared on the cover of Playboy magazine in a strapless top, rhinestone bow tie and cuff links, and a pair of flopped over bunny ears. If you look at Dolly today though, there’s a pretty distinct difference... her hair has changed. That’s pretty much it. So when the country music legend told 60 Minutes Australia over the weekend that she’d like to recreate her famous cover for her 75th birthday next year, the resounding sentiment was a couple of shoulder shrugs followed by, “Seems fair.” So let’s do it. Let’s officially start this campaign: Put Dolly Parton on the Playboy Cover.
In speaking to the news program, she said, “I just turned 74. I plan to be on the cover of Playboy magazine again. See, I did Playboy magazine years ago. I thought it’d be such a hoot if they’d go for it... if I could be on the cover again when I’m 75.” To all of that, we say, “why not?” We reached out to the publication for comment on Parton’s request, but unfortunately, have not heard back.
Over the years, the revered magazine has gone from a salacious publication (where the likes of Ray Bradbury, Margaret Atwood, and Kurt Vonnegut wrote in pages alongside pin-up models) to nudeless, progressive publication, then quickly veering back to a pro-nude stance after rethinking its strategy. So now that the magazine is speaking both to the thoughtful interviews that fueled the publication in the 70s and the nostalgia that Playboy readers are clamoring for, why not Dolly?
In case you were wondering, Dolly’s initial shoot did not contain any nudity, but the interview with her was one of the most candid at the time. Considering that it’s been a while since we’ve seen an in-depth look into the singer’s current career, it’s more than perfect timing to catch up with the legend who has no intentions of slowing her career down. And if she wants to don a bustier and bedazzled accessories for it, we say all the more power to her. As she told 60 Minutes Australia of her initial outfit, “I could probably use it. Maybe. Boobs are still the same!”
Later in the interview, Parton remarks how she’s always been a bit cartoonish and “cartoons don’t really age that much,” which fits in perfectly with Playboy. The magazine has featured women in various stages of wardrobe over the years, even when the idea of a scantily dressed (or undressed) woman was a controversial thing. And yet, much like Parton herself, it persists. Both of them have built an empire that has grown and evolved over decades, and a big part of that has to do with sex appeal.
In that way, isn’t Playboy the Dolly Parton of publications? Your move Playboy.
