Did Dolly Parton Really Snub Meghan Markle's Netflix Invite?
DOLLY PARTON SPURNS MEGHAN MARKLE: QUEEN OF COUNTRY MUSIC "SNUBS" NETFLIX STAR
The drama is heating up in Tinseltown, folks! It's been revealed that country music royalty Dolly Parton was invited to appear on Meghan Markle's latest Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. But the 9-to-5 singer reportedly turned down the offer, citing concerns about her reputation and popularity.
According to celebrity commentator Kinsey Schofield, Dolly's team feared that associating with Meghan would damage their brand and credibility in the lifestyle space. "They knew that this ask was just to give Meghan Markle credibility in this lifestyle space, a space that Dolly does have a lot of credibility in," Kinsey spilled to The Scholarly Note.com.
But representatives for With Love, Meghan are denying the allegations, stating that they never approached Dolly or her team with an offer. A spokesperson claimed, "This story is false. At no point did anybody from the show's production or Netflix approach Dolly Parton or her team to appear on With Love, Meghan."
So what's really going on behind the scenes? Sources close to the situation claim that Meghan had a hard time booking big-name celebrities for the show, which launched in March. The Duchess of Sussex reportedly reached out to stars like Oprah Winfrey, Serena Williams, and Tyler Perry, but they all declined or never responded.
The final guest list was underwhelming, with Harry himself making only a brief appearance in the final episode. Other notable guests included Suits co-star Abigail Spencer, socialite Delfina Figueras, and chef Roy Choi. The series' attempt to boost its credibility by featuring A-listers fell flat, it seems.
The struggle is real for Meghan's Netflix projects, which have received lukewarm reception from viewers and critics alike. Her podcast Archetypes was canceled after just 12 episodes, while her latest show With Love, Meghan has been met with lackluster enthusiasm.
But Dolly Parton isn't one to shy away from controversy or a good time. In a recent interview, the legendary singer hinted that she'd be open to collaborating with Meghan on future projects. "Well, never say never, you never know where you're gonna go," Dolly teased. "I'm going to go over there and kind of really rub elbows with the royalty. So yes, anything is possible. I never say no to anything."
Speaking of rubbing shoulders with royalty, Dolly has a long history of interacting with members of the British royal family. In 1977, she performed for Queen Elizabeth II during her Silver Jubilee celebrations. The singer also met the Queen backstage at the Royal Variety Show in Glasgow, where she recalled being "scared to death" that she wouldn't be able to curtsy correctly.
Fast-forward to the present day, and Dolly is still making waves with her royal connections. Last year, she extended an invitation for Prince William, Kate Middleton, and their children to visit her amusement park, Dollywood. The 150-acre theme park in Tennessee features a range of rides, roller-coasters, and delicious Southern cuisine.
But could we see the Royal Family visiting Dollywood soon? According to sources, there are plans for the UK to send a delegation to the US next year to mark the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. If the Prince and Princess of Wales do find themselves Stateside, they'll have ample time to visit Dolly's beloved amusement park.
In the meantime, the drama between Dolly Parton and Meghan Markle is sure to continue making headlines. Stay tuned for more updates on this sizzling celebrity feud!
