The Unlikely Friendship Between Dolly Parton and Katy Perry
At first glance, a friendship between country music legend Dolly Parton and pop superstar Katy Perry may seem unlikely. The two artists come from different genres, generations, and backgrounds. However, in recent years they have developed an obvious rapport and mutual admiration. How did this unlikely friendship form? Sharing the stage on Dolly Parton’s highly successful “Pure & Simple” tour in 2016 provided the opportunity for these two powerhouse performers to connect in meaningful ways.
While their styles of music differ greatly, Parton and Perry share a similar flair for showmanship. Both are known for their over-the-top costumes, vibrant personalities, and captivating live shows. Touring together allowed them to observe each other’s creative processes up close on a nightly basis. Parton likely appreciated Perry’s youthful exuberance and ability to connect with younger audiences through her pop anthems and elaborate productions. Meanwhile, Perry got to witness firsthand the seasoned professionalism and charisma of a true country legend at 75 years old.
Sharing the stage night after night fostered a mutual respect between the artists. They admired each other’s talents, work ethic, and stage presence. Parton has said that she was impressed by Perry’s “professionalism and graciousness.” She recognized Perry’s star quality and ability to command a crowd, skills that are not easily attained, no matter one’s level of fame or success. For her part, Perry has expressed admiration for Parton’s dedication to her craft after decades in the industry. She recognized Parton as “a true artist – someone who just loves what they do.” Witnessing each other in action on tour built professional admiration that transcended musical genres or generations.
Beyond their work, Parton and Perry likely bonded over their larger-than-life personalities. Both are known for their playful, unabashedly flamboyant styles. Touring together allowed them to connect on a personal level, finding humor in each other’s quirks or creative approaches. They may have laughed together over funny experiences from the road or inside jokes that developed along the way. Sharing the backstage environment on tour provided opportunities for casual conversation and camaraderie to blossom into a genuine friendship.
Parton took on a bit of a mentorship role with Perry during the tour. At 25 years her junior, Perry benefited from Parton’s wealth of experience and wisdom in the industry. Parton likely offered advice about navigating fame, maintaining longevity in the business, or balancing work and personal life. She may have also encouraged Perry’s songwriting or given feedback on her performances. This dynamic further strengthened their bond beyond just colleagues sharing a stage. It established Parton in a guiding role that Perry seemed to appreciate, as she has referred to Parton as a “musical goddess” she looks up to.
Their time on tour also opened the door to potential creative collaboration. Parton has said she hoped to write a song together one day. While that has yet to materialize, their musical styles did blend nicely when Perry joined Parton for a rendition of “Jolene” during the tour. Playing off each other’s vocal talents in real time on stage, the performance highlighted how their gifts complemented one another. It served as a preview of how impactful an original co-written track from the duo could be if they pursue that opportunity in the future.
Beyond the professional facets, Parton and Perry likely connected through sharing personal experiences from life on the road. Funny stories from tour bus rides, meet-and-greets with fans, or behind-the-scenes mishaps provided lighthearted bonding moments. Touring can be grueling at times, so having each other for support, laughter, or an empathetic ear likely made the experience more enjoyable. Their budding friendship helped sustain their energy for nightly concerts over dozens of tour stops across North America.
Several years after sharing the stage, Parton and Perry’s rapport remains strong. They continue to praise one another publicly and keep in touch when schedules allow. In 2019, Parton reflected fondly on their tour, stating “We had such a good time… I just love her to death.” Meanwhile, Perry has said Parton is “one of my favorite people in the whole world.” Their bond transcends the initial tour that sparked it, showing the friendship to be meaningful and lasting.
While their musical styles differ greatly, Parton and Perry found common ground through their creative talents, vibrant personalities, and experiences on the road. A mutual respect was built from witnessing each other’s professionalism up close. Their larger-than-life personalities allowed humor and camaraderie to develop easily. Parton also took on a mentorship role that Perry valued. The tour setting fostered all of these relationship-building factors that coalesced into an unlikely but genuine friendship between two superstar artists. Their bond highlights how sharing a stage can cultivate connections in surprising ways.