Dolly Parton’s Big Hair is Actually a Wig
For decades, Dolly Parton has been known for her over-the-top hairstyles featuring massive volumes of blonde hair. However, what many people may not realize is that Dolly Parton’s signature look is actually achieved through wigs, not her natural hair. Underneath those wigs lies a much more subtle head of hair that few have seen. Let’s take a deeper look at Dolly Parton’s real hair versus her famous wigs.
Natural Hair Color and Style
Dolly Parton was born with naturally blonde hair, but it is a few shades lighter than the bright platinum shades she often sports in her wigs. Her natural hair color has been described as a sandy blonde. As for her natural hair style, Dolly herself has said it is quite plain and straight with little body or volume compared to her stage personas.
In a 2016 interview with People magazine, Dolly opened up about wearing wigs, saying “My hair is very thin and fine…I have to have something to make it look like I have enough hair.” She went on to explain that she started wearing wigs in the 1960s when her record label encouraged her to glam up her image to appeal to wider audiences.
Rare Glimpses of Dolly’s Real Hair
Over the decades, Dolly Parton has guarded her natural hair closely, rarely letting the public or press see what lies beneath her wigs. However, on a few rare occasions, she has given fans a peek at her real locks.
In 1987, Dolly shared a photo from when she was a young girl, showing her natural sandy blonde hair cut in a short bob style. Fans were surprised to see how different and understated it was compared to her wigged looks.
Another glimpse came in 2004 when Dolly was filming her biographical film called “Why I Wore Lipstick to My Mastectomy.” During production, she wore a bald cap to portray going through cancer treatment. Photos from the set revealed her very fine, short natural hair growing in underneath.
In 2016, Dolly finally treated fans to a full view of her real hair when she posted a selfie on social media without her wig. Her natural hair was revealed to be a wispy, shoulder-length style in a light blonde shade, quite the opposite of her signature big wigs. She joked in the caption “I thought y’all might like my ‘real hair’ as opposed to my ‘real big hair!’”
The Real Reasoning Behind Wigs
While enhancing her image was part of the motivation early on, Dolly’s decision to wear wigs was also greatly influenced by practical and health reasons. Her natural hair is very fine and thin, making it difficult to achieve big, voluminous styles without extensions or additions. Wigs allow her to have instant glamour and variety with her looks without damaging her real hair through constant styling, chemicals, and heat tools.
As Dolly has aged into her 70s, her natural hair has continued to thin. Wigs protect her fragile hairline from breakage. They also save her time on hair maintenance, as a wig can be thrown on in minutes versus lengthy blow drying and styling. On top of that, wigs provide versatility – Dolly can swap between multiple hair colors and styles for different performances and appearances without permanently altering her natural hair.
The Wig Collection
Over the past 50+ years, Dolly Parton has amassed an incredible collection of custom wigs specifically made for her varying needs and personas. She works closely with wig makers to design each piece and ensure a perfect fit. Some key wigs from Dolly’s repertoire include:
– Show Wigs: Massive, big-haired wigs in platinum blonde or lighter shades worn for concerts and televised performances. These wigs can reach heights of over 12 inches tall.
– Red Carpet Wigs: Slightly more toned down wigs in fashionable cuts and colors worn for premieres, awards shows, and formal events.
– Character Wigs: Distinctive wigs helping Dolly transform into roles, like her dark brunette wig from the film “Steel Magnolias.”
– Casual Wigs: More low-key wigs allowing Dolly to go out in public discreetly while still protecting her natural hair.
– Vintage Wigs: Wigs recreating Dolly’s iconic hairstyles from different eras, like her big 1970s curls.
Dolly takes meticulous care of her wig collection, storing each piece on custom wig stands or mannequin heads in climate-controlled conditions. She spends upwards of $25,000 per year maintaining her wigs professionally.
The Real Dolly
While Dolly Parton’s wigs have become synonymous with her public image, the woman underneath prefers the privacy and comfort of her natural look when not performing. In interviews, she has said wearing her wigs is like putting on armor to face the world, while being wig-free at home allows her to just be herself.
Dolly seems most comfortable with her thinning, wispy natural hair and rarely wears her wigs in everyday life nowadays. She values embracing her authentic self and aging gracefully versus trying to maintain a perpetually youthful appearance. Her decision to go public with photos of her real hair in recent years shows Dolly’s confidence in her natural beauty at every stage of life.
Though fans will likely always associate Dolly with her big, blonde wigs, seeing her natural hair has reminded many that she is, first and foremost, a complex human being rather than just a caricature. After all these decades, Dolly Parton continues to surprise people with her willingness to break conventions and reveal the real woman behind the wigs. Her authenticity is part of what has made Dolly a beloved icon for generations. Whether wearing wigs or going natural, she proudly stays true to herself.