“She Treated Everyone Equally”: Reba McEntire Remembers Late Friend Dolly Parton’s Humor and Humility on The Jennifer Hudson Show
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(749x0:751x2):format(webp)/Reba-McEntire-on-the--Jennifer-Hudson-Show-102126-abe4eca496124a78a24662558c962f36.jpg)
In an emotional appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show, country icon Reba McEntire reflected on her nearly five-decade friendship with the late Dolly Parton. Following Parton’s passing at age 80 after a private battle with cancer, McEntire shared intimate memories of their bond, detailing how the legend wielded quick humor and poise to make everyone around her feel valued.
“Confidence, Poise, and a Joke in a Heartbeat”
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(749x0:751x2):format(webp)/Reba-McEntire-visits-Dolly-Parton-backstage-during-Dolly-Parton--Pure--Simple-Benefiting-The-Opry-Trust-Fund--102126-3b5b3c0a46d94b03b0ed98db8eb0123b.jpg)
Speaking with host Jennifer Hudson, McEntire, 71, highlighted Parton’s rare ability to disarm any room she entered, regardless of the setting or company:
“I loved the way Dolly carried herself with confidence and poise. She could cut a joke in a heartbeat and she would make sure that everybody felt comfortable in her presence.”
McEntire recalled a prime example from 2005, when Parton flew out to California to guest star on her hit WB sitcom Reba:
-
Set Culture: Rather than sequestering herself behind typical superstar treatment, Parton engaged warmly with the entire crew from top to bottom.
-
Universal Respect: “When she came out to California and did the Reba TV show with me for a week, she treated everyone equally,” McEntire recalled.
A Fateful First Meeting at the 1977 Opry
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(749x0:751x2):format(webp)/Dolly-Parton-with-Reba-McEntire-in-the-two-hour-special-broadcast-of-the-Grand-Ole-Opry-102126-cba36bdd38184d3caebdc3c1e6872d58.jpg)
Their enduring connection dates back to September 17, 1977, the night of McEntire’s debut performance at the Grand Ole Opry.
As McEntire recounted, she was originally scheduled to perform two songs. Right before she took the stage, Opry officials informed her that her slot had to be trimmed to a single track because Parton had just arrived unannounced backstage:
-
The Immediate Reaction: McEntire famously told producers: “Heck, you can have both of them if I can just meet Dolly!”
-
The First Impression: Recalling the moment Parton crossed the floor, McEntire noted: “I will never forget her walking through in this beautiful black chiffon outfit with rhinestone butterflies. She looked just like an angel!”
“She Knows Where She’s Going”: Processing the Loss
Parton passed away on August 25 following a brief, private battle with cancer. McEntire was on the soundstage filming her sitcom Happy’s Place when news broke:
-
A Spirit of Celebration: When production staff approached her with condolences, McEntire reframed the moment:“Everybody was like, ‘Reba, we’re so sorry.’ I said, ‘Don’t say you’re sorry, this gal’s going on. She knows where she’s going. It’s a huge celebration.’ But I felt her with me the whole day.”
-
The Emmy Tribute: McEntire formally honored Parton at the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards on September 14, delivering an emotional performance of Parton’s 1983 ballad “Appalachian Memories” following an introduction by Sally Field—calling the broadcast her personal way of sending her longtime friend home.
Tributes Continue with CMA Special
The reflections come ahead of a star-studded television memorial, CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton, airing on ABC and streaming on Disney+. McEntire is scheduled to lead the ensemble honoring the cultural icon, celebrating the music, wit, and generosity that defined Parton’s legacy across six decades.
