Taylor Swift is among the countless artists mourning the loss of Dolly Parton following the country legend’s death at age 80. 

The singer-songwriter, whose influence stretched far beyond music, died in Nashville after a brief illness.

As tributes poured in from across the entertainment world, Swift shared an emotional message reflecting on Parton’s impact not only on her own career, but on generations of artists and fans who grew up inspired by the icon’s remarkable life.

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Few artists have shaped country music the way Dolly Parton did, which is why Taylor Swift’s tribute carried such a deeply personal tone. Reflecting on the loss, the Grammy Award winner admitted that Parton’s passing felt almost impossible to comprehend.

“A world without Dolly doesn’t feel possible, real, or right,” Swift said in a statement shared with The Hollywood Reporter.

Rather than focusing solely on the country legend’s accomplishments, Swift spoke candidly about the way Parton connected with people throughout her life. 

She praised the icon’s generosity and the lasting impact she had on those around her, writing that her legacy would endure because of “the countless lives she changed for the better.”

Swift also reflected on Parton’s unique ability to inspire individuality while remaining universally admired. 

“She was truly the gift that kept on giving,” the “Cruel Summer” singer shared, noting that Parton encouraged people to embrace who they were while sharing lessons about life with warmth, honesty and humor.

Parton’s Legacy Inspired Generations Of Young Women, Including Swift

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As her tribute continued, Taylor Swift went into detail about why Dolly Parton remained such an influential figure for so many years. 

She described the late singer as someone who balanced openness with mystery, allowing fans to admire both her artistry and her character.

“She managed to give the world the ultimate mystery and fantasy in some corners of her life, but to give full transparency in the ways that counted,” Swift explained, adding, “Somehow she was true grace and true grit, all in one dazzling person.”

Swift also praised Parton’s compassion and resilience, saying she possessed “the softest heart when it came to the struggles of others, and a backbone of steel to defend her own self worth as an artist.”

The 36-year-old closed her message by celebrating the many ways Parton’s influence extended beyond music. 

She thanked her for the songs that touched listeners, the millions of books she provided to children through her literacy efforts, and the example she set for young women chasing ambitious dreams. “Dolly, I’ll think of you each step of the way,” Swift ended.

Dolly Parton’s Family Shares Emotional Details About Her Final Days 

Taylor Swift’s tribute captured the heartbreak felt across the music world, but the announcement of Parton’s death revealed even more about how carefully the country icon prepared for her final goodbye. 

Parton died in Nashville at age 80 following what her representatives described as a “brief battle with cancer.” The news was delivered by her nephew, Bryan Seaver, in a video message posted to her official Instagram page on behalf of the Parton and Owens families. 

In the emotional video, Seaver revealed that the “Jolene” singer had asked him years earlier to be the person who would announce her death when the time came. 

He admitted he had long imagined the weight of that responsibility but did not truly understand it until he was forced to record the message. 

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Rather than focusing solely on grief, Seaver celebrated the life Parton lived. He said the “sadness lies with us, not with Dolly,” explaining that she was now “in the arms of Jesus” and reunited with her late husband Carl Dean, her parents and other loved ones who had gone before her. 

Perhaps the most touching moment came when Seaver shared one of Parton’s final wishes. He revealed that she wanted to rest “in a beautiful bed of plush cotton because after a life wearing heavy rhinestones, she finally deserves to be comfortable and have some rest.” 

Parton Honored With Rare National Tribute

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One of the most significant honors of Dolly Parton’s remarkable career arrived after her death. 

President Donald Trump announced that American flags would be flown at half-staff nationwide for a full week, a rare tribute typically reserved for presidents, major political figures, and a select group of Americans whose impact transcended their profession. 

Announcing the decision on social media, Trump wrote per The Blast, “Very sad to report that Dolly Parton, one of the greatest Country singers, and far beyond, EVER, has just passed away.” 

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He continued, “This is a true loss for millions of people. There has never been anyone like her, and never will.” 

The president then revealed that flags across the United States would be lowered for seven days beginning at 6 p.m. on the day her death was announced. 

The gesture placed Parton in exceptionally rare company. Reports noted that a week-long lowering of flags for a private citizen is uncommon and reflects the extraordinary influence she had not only as a musician but also as a philanthropist, businesswoman, actress, and literacy advocate through her Imagination Library program. 

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Becomes A Major Focus Of Her Lasting Legacy

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Beyond music, one of the causes closest to Parton’s heart is now taking center stage as fans look for meaningful ways to honor her memory. 

Following her death, her family requested that donations be made to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in lieu of flowers, directing attention to the literacy program she launched in 1995. 

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As The Blast reported, the initiative began in Parton’s home county in East Tennessee and eventually expanded internationally. Through the program, free books are mailed to children from birth until they begin school, helping foster a love of reading at an early age. 

Over the years, the Imagination Library has distributed hundreds of millions of books and become one of the most celebrated literacy programs in the world. 

In announcing the donation request, Parton’s family made it clear that supporting children’s literacy would be one of the most fitting ways to continue her work. 

The program was especially meaningful to Parton because it honored her father, who never learned to read.

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Nobody is stewarding Gothic cinema quite like Robert Eggers, the daring director widely considered a modern master of horror. Since his debut folk horror classic The Witch in 2015, Eggers has spent the last decade building a spectacularly sinister and immersive filmography. Eggers’ elevated horror is known for its meticulous attention to detail, historical authenticity, and slow-burn atmospheric dread. He is also notoriously untethered when it comes to genre conventions or labels, veering away from the horror bracket in 2022 to create the action-filled revenge epic, The Northman, based on a Scandinavian folktale.

What too remains consistent about Eggers’ work is his avoidance of and distaste for shooting contemporary settings. He has made it very clear that making a modern film is off the table, even narrowing down his time period cut-off to, ideally, pre-World War II. Luckily, Gothic literature of the past and present has no shortage of strange, ambitious, and macabre stories that would benefit from the Eggers treatment. These five stories are but a small sampling of Gothic literary potential, sourced from Victorian-era classics and more recent historical horror books alike, that would keep Eggers far away from the contemporary cell phone-ridden world and ensconced in bygone eras where his creative genius thrives.

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‘Ligeia’ (1838)

By Edgar Allen Poe

Image via Penguin Random House

Practically any Poe story could be singled out for an Eggers-led adaptation. In fact, Eggers has already dabbled with Edgar Allen Poe‘s particular vein of Gothic madness, having directed a short film adaptation of “The Raven” in 2008. One particularly intriguing, though lesser-known story in Poe’s compiled tales is “Ligeia,” first published in 1838. “Ligeia” is told by an unnamed opium-addicted narrator, who recounts an opulent, obsessive tale of undying love.

The titular Ligeia refers to the narrator’s first wife, a captivating raven-haired woman who, upon falling gravely ill, composes a poem on mortality called “The Conqueror Worm.” After Ligeia dies, the narrator remarries. However, his second wife, Lady Rowena, seems to be haunted or, perhaps, overtaken by the presence of the first. Seemingly repeating her fate, Lady Rowena also grows ill and passes away, but while the narrator holds vigil over her body, something strange happens: Rowena slowly returns from the dead, only she’s transformed into Ligeia. Whether Ligeia is a vampire, a ghost, a hallucination, or something else entirely is largely left up for interpretation. Eggers could certainly have a field day putting his spin on this story’s murky supernatural waters, playing with Poe’s decidedly unreliable narrator.

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‘Between Two Fires’ (2012)

By Christopher Buehlman

Image via Macmillan Publishers

A popular dream adaptation pick for Eggers devotees, Christopher Buehlman‘s Between Two Fires is a sprawling historical horror novel set in the Middle Ages. Visceral, brutal, and fantastical, this book traces a disgraced knight across France during 1348, when the world is thoroughly overturned by the Black Death. The knight is accompanied by a mysterious young girl with Joan of Arc-style visions, looking to get to Avignon. The duo encounters demons and other unearthly horrors along the way, as well as a priest, Frere Matthieu of Saint Martin le Preux, who ultimately joins them in hopes of finding his brother, Robert Hanicotte, a cardinal working under Pope Clement.

Eggers has already proven his knack for directing a gruesome supernatural epic through The Northman. This apocalyptic story would likewise dip into historical horror and dark fantasy, while leaning even further into mystical, religious conflict. At once a realistic historical fiction venture and a medieval fantasy road movie populated by plague victims, angels, and demons, Buehlman’s Between Two Fires is exactly the kind of bleak, grimly engrossing project Eggers could do justice to on screen.

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‘The Silent Companions’ (2017)

By Laura Purcell

Image via Penguin Random House

A 19th-century Gothic story like The Silent Companions is perfect for Eggers’ scrupulous period filmmaking, especially after the success of Nosferatu. Laura Purcell‘s Victorian Gothic novel follows Elsie, who marries handsome heir Rupert Bainbridge, only to be widowed just weeks into their marriage. Left pregnant and isolated in her late husband’s country estate, she soon discovers some truly unexpected, uncanny companions. Specifically, behind a locked door, she finds a bunch of painted life-size wooden figures, one of which eerily resembles herself. The estate residents are terrified of the figure, and her own superstition starts to grow as the art form seems to have a life of its own.

This Victorian ghost story has all the ingredients for a traditional horror movie set-up, but the simple haunted house trope is not the sum total of Purcell’s storytelling. The narrative evolves into a much more multidimensional puzzle, moving between two time periods: Elsie in the 1800s timeline and her late husband’s ancestor, Anne Bainbridge, in the 1600s. Between those two timelines are various interludes that take place in an asylum. Befitting Eggers’ style in both its scope and its impeccable suspense-building, The Silent Companions would be a female-led adaptation that beautifully splices the Gothic strengths of both Nosferatu and The Witch.

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‘Ring Shout’ (2020)

By P. Djèlí Clark

Image via Macmillan Publishers

Eggers has explored New England folk horror, Icelandic mythology, and Victorian Gothic horror. Now, perhaps it’s time for Eggers to tackle the Southern Gothic. P. Djèlí Clark’s Ring Shout would offer him a particularly ambitious entry point. Set in Prohibition-era Georgia, the novella introduces Maryse Boudreaux and her group of fierce resistance fighters, battling all-too-real demons reborn from the white supremacist propaganda film, The Birth of a Nation.

Clark works at the intersection of fantasy, sci-fi, and horror to explore America’s dark past and the ongoing fight against racial violence and oppression. With rich folkloric roots, comparable to the recent Southern Gothic hit, Sinners, Clark’s Ring Shout is a creative, satisfying Southern Gothic thrill ride packed into just under 200 pages. The book did get picked up for a TV adaptation in late 2020, set to star Kiki Layne, but the project has seemingly stalled over the last five years. If Eggers could snag the film rights, Ring Shout could allow him to chart a brand-new chapter in his dedicated historical filmography: the 1920s American South.

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‘The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’ (1886)

By Robert Louis Stevenson

Image via Penguin Random House

This Victorian horror classic has certainly stood the test of time. Robert Louis Stevenson‘s Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde has inspired countless movie adaptations throughout the decades. The 1931 film adaptation is perhaps the most acclaimed of the bunch, but the story’s enduring appeal on and off-screen has ensured that the phrase “Jekyll and Hyde” remains in our contemporary lingo. Regardless if you’ve read the book, which is, in fact, a brisk novella, the double-life concept or a dark side run wild is widely familiar. This alone makes the story a strong contender for an Eggers adaptation, as the director often takes a popular trope, legend, or concept and then strips it back to its Gothic roots.

Less of a monster movie and more a quintessential psychological horror slow-burn, it’s not hard to imagine how Eggers could cultivate a foggy, claustrophobic, repressive Victorian backdrop. In Stevenson’s story, Dr. Henry Jekyll, a London scientist, concocts a potion to separate and subdue the evil side of himself. In doing so, the alter ego ends up taking over and wreaking havoc as the violent criminal, Edward Hyde. As The Substance made clear, keeping the balance isn’t so easy. All in all, this famous novella truly wears many hats, as a form of allegory, detective fiction, doppelgänger literature, and, of course, Gothic horror, which are all well-suited to Eggers’ signature macabre, genre-bending flair.

Rumer Willis is opening up about her family’s positive moments amidst her father Bruce Willis‘ ongoing battle with frontotemporal dementia. 

The actress shared how deeply she treasures the meaningful interactions the action icon shares with her young daughter. 

Bruce was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia in 2023, and since then, his family has been open about the physical and emotional toll the ailment has had on them all.  

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In a new interview, Rumer shared updates regarding her family dynamic as her father, Bruce, navigates frontotemporal dementia.

The 38-year-old performer explained that despite the difficulties surrounding the neurological condition, spending quality time together continues to yield warm reactions from the “Die Hard” star.

Describing their regular visits, Rumer highlighted the immediate happiness her father displays when seeing her and her 3-year-old daughter, Louetta. 

“So, there’s so much love and joy and tenderness that still exists there. And in terms of that, I would say that’s a huge win,” she told PEOPLE Magazine.

She also expressed gratitude for the continued opportunity to spend time together and emphasized how closely bonded their family remains throughout the process.

Furthermore, the experience inspired Rumer to partner with Function to proactively evaluate her personal wellness. Through specialized lab work and genetic testing for Alzheimer’s risk factors, she aims to monitor her long-term health closely.

“I wanna be as healthy as possible for as long as possible. I don’t think it’s really an option anymore to not be proactive about it,” she said. 

She also added that traditional doctor visits often leave little room for comprehensive preventative care, making detailed health testing an essential investment for her future.

Rumer Willis Emphasizes Proactive Screening Amid Genetic Health Concerns

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Building on her focus on preventative care, Rumer also explained why obtaining comprehensive health screening remains vital despite the anxiety associated with genetic discoveries.

According to The Blast, she recently reflected on the daunting nature of genetic testing while dealing with her father’s diagnosis and broader family medical histories, which include cancer alongside cognitive decline. 

Acknowledging that discovering hereditary risk factors can induce anxiety, she expressed a preference for early knowledge over waiting for potential health issues to arise.

“It’s terrifying to get answers sometimes. Obviously there are genetic things in my family. Not just dementia, I’ve had some family members who have had breast cancer and family members who have had different things,” she said. 

However, she noted that information is “power” and explained that possessing early markers allows individuals to make targeted lifestyle modifications rather than reacting only after symptoms manifest.

Rumer Willis Highlights Softer Demeanor in Bruce Willis Amid Health Battle

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In addition to taking proactive steps towards fighting the disease, Rumer has also been open about the different ways her father has changed while battling dementia. 

According to The Blast, she revealed that while navigating frontotemporal dementia has changed family dynamics, the diagnosis has revealed a softer, more gentle side to the action icon.

She noted that the illness brought out a distinct warmth and “sweetness” that contrasts with his longtime public persona.

Rumer also acknowledged the advocacy efforts led by her stepmother, Emma Heming Willis, praising the extended family’s commitment to supporting one another while raising awareness about neurological health challenges.

Emma Heming Willis Emphasizes Caregiver Health And Brain Wellness

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Alongside Rumer’s candid updates, Bruce’s wife, Emma, has also shared insights into the family’s caregiving journey.

Emma provided a supportive update regarding her husband’s ongoing care, expressing that the family remains focused on surrounding the actor with love while adapting to their new reality.

“You know, we’re doing well,” she shared. “My husband is supported and loved, and we’re doing the best we can under the circumstances.”

In addition to supporting her husband, the model and entrepreneur highlighted the vital necessity of self-care for caregivers.

“What I’ve learned is that it’s so important to care for ourselves, and if we’re not caring for ourselves, how can we care for the people that we love in our lives?” she noted, according to The Blast.

Rumer Willis Embraces Relocation Amid Her Father’s Health Battle

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Amid family developments surrounding her father’s health, Rumer announced a major personal relocation to mark a fresh start.

The actress recently revealed on social media that she has officially moved across the country to Nashville, Tennessee, characterizing the transition as a “leap of faith,” per The Blast.

Documenting the packing and transport process, she reflected on the emotional weight of transferring two decades of her life to a new home, admitting that it was a challenging period for her. 

The Empire State Building has joined the outpouring of tributes honoring Dolly Parton following the country music icon’s passing at age 80. The New York City landmark lit up pink as a touching salute to the beloved singer, songwriter, actress, and philanthropist. However, the tribute came with a thoughtful detail that fans may recognize, making the gesture even more meaningful.

The Empire State Building often uses its iconic lights to mark major occasions and honor notable people and causes. Its colorful displays have become a familiar part of the city’s skyline, marking everything from holidays and cultural events to milestones and moments of public importance.

On August 25, following news of Dolly Parton’s passing, the landmark announced it would glow pink in remembrance of the Queen of Country Music. The display began at 9:25 p.m. ET, a nod to the singer’s hit song “9 to 5,” released in 1980.

Parton wrote “9 To 5” as the theme song for the comedy movie of the same title, which marked Parton’s mainstream acting debut and saw her star alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. The hit single earned her two Grammys: Best Country Song and Best Female Country Vocal Performance.

The Empire State Building remained illuminated in pink for an hour as part of the tribute.

The Country Singer Navigated Health Issues Before Her Passing

In the past year, Parton shared that she had been battling a series of health issues, including kidney stones, digestive and immune system issues, as well as dizziness and dehydration. However, she reassured her fans that she had been receiving treatment and improving.

In an interview shortly before her passing, Parton told PEOPLE that she neglected her own health while she took care of her husband, Carl Thomas Dean, who died in 2025. “I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over Carl,” Parton said.

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On August 25, Parton’s nephew announced the country singer had passed away at 80 years old. As reported by The Blast, a representative later shared more details about the singer’s death, revealing that she also briefly battled cancer.

Dolly Parton And Her Iconic Pink Aesthetic

The color pink became closely associated with Parton’s playful and glamorous image, fitting alongside rhinestones, bold makeup, towering wigs, and the unique fashion that became hallmarks of her personal style.

In 2020, Parton revisited some of her most iconic looks for Vogue‘s “Life in Looks” series, in which she discussed her pink ensemble from the “9 To 5” movie premiere, which she asked the film’s costume designer to create. “I just remember that was probably the first time I ever really felt like I was fashionable,” she said.

Parton described herself as a “painted doll” and used fashion as a form of self-expression. In a 2019 social media post, the singer shared a photo of her younger self in a pink outfit, writing in the caption, “No such thing as too much pink!”

Dolly Parton Sang ‘Pink’ For Breast Cancer Awareness

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Pink was more than just a color to Parton. The singer was known for supporting charitable causes and was a dedicated supporter of breast cancer awareness.

In 2020, she collaborated with Monica, Jordin Sparks, Sara Evans, and Rita Wilson on the song “Pink,” an anthem of hope for the fight against breast cancer. The lyrics express a dream of a future where pink is seen as just a color, not a symbol associated with the disease.

In 2023, Susan G. Komen, a breast cancer organization, bestowed the Promise Award to Parton for her philanthropic efforts and commitment to ending breast cancer. “Dolly has long used her talents to inspire, educate, and raise critical funds for the breast cancer community. There’s no doubt, the world is a better place with Dolly Parton in it,” the organization’s president said.

Pink Isn’t Dolly Parton’s Favorite Color

Despite its association with Parton’s signature style, pink is not actually the singer’s favorite color. Her official Pinterest page offered a glimpse into her colorful aesthetic, with boards showcasing photos of her different looks and styles throughout her career.

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In an interview with Interview Magazine, the Queen of Country Music said she has two favorites. “White and yellow. White makes me feel light and airy. Yellow makes me happy,” she shared.

Dolly Parton and her music will continue living on after her death, but one piece of her legacy remains deliberately out of reach.

The country music legend, who died on August 25 at age 80, recorded a secret song years before her death and had it physically locked away at her DreamMore Resort in Tennessee.

However, Dolly Parton left strict instructions for the recording to remain sealed until what would have been her 100th birthday in 2046, meaning fans may have to wait another two decades to hear it finally.

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Parton wrote and recorded the mysterious song, titled “My Place in History,” in 2015, the same year Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort opened in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

Instead of releasing the track with the rest of her music, she decided to turn it into a musical time capsule.

The recording was placed inside a chestnut “Dream Box,” which sits behind a glass at the resort, per Business Insider. The plan calls for the box to remain sealed until January 19, 2046, the date that would have marked Parton’s 100th birthday.

The unusual project has taken on considerably more significance following the singer’s shocking death that has devastated fans and friends worldwide.

Parton had originally entertained the possibility that she might actually live long enough to attend the unveiling herself.

In her 2020 book, “Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics,” she joked that she didn’t know whether she wanted to reach 100 but suggested she would attend the opening of the capsule if she did.

Now, the song is poised to become a message from Parton to a generation of fans living decades after she recorded it.

The Singer Admitted She Desperately Wanted To Open The Box Early

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Keeping “My Place in History” secret apparently became much harder for Parton than she expected.

During a 2022 appearance on “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” the country icon admitted that she had repeatedly thought about breaking her own rules and retrieving the recording.

“I wanna go dig that up so bad,” Parton confessed.

She also offered a tantalizing review of the unheard recording, calling it “a really good song.”

Parton admitted that knowing the track was sitting somewhere within her reach, but not able to share it with the world, was “burning me up inside.”

Parton was famously prolific and spent decades sharing her songwriting with audiences, but she had deliberately created one song she wasn’t allowed to release until a set time.

She even joked elsewhere that she wanted permission to dig it up and replace it with something that wasn’t as good.

Despite the temptation to retrieve the musical capsule, Parton apparently stuck to the plan to leave it till 2046.

Only Dolly Parton Knew What ‘My Place In History’ Sounded Like

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The biggest mystery about this kept song isn’t whether it is good; rather, it is that almost nobody knows what the song sounds like. Knowing Parton, she put all her strength into the song to make it a masterpiece.

The display that accompanied the Dream Box reportedly states that only Parton knew the song’s melody and contents.

Also, the title has become more significant.

“My Place in History” was written decades into Parton’s career, when her place in country music was already firmly established. At this time, she had transformed herself from a Tennessee songwriter into an international entertainer, actress, businesswoman and philanthropist.

She also remained remarkably aware of how her work might be remembered long after she was gone.

Parton’s death now means the song will likely be heard in a completely different context from the one in which she recorded it in 2015.

The Singer Locked Away A CD Player With The Recording

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Apparently, Parton foresaw a problem with asking her fans to wait decades before they get to listen to “My Place in History.” According to reports, the “Joyful Noise” actress recorded the song on a CD.

With no guarantee that people would still commonly own CD players in 2046, Parton included the necessary equipment inside the Dream Box. Along with the recording, she placed a CD player in the box so whoever eventually opens it should have a way to hear the song.

In her book, Parton joked about the possibility that the technology would survive the long wait. “Hopefully, it will play and the whole thing ain’t rotted,” she wrote.

The glass display showing the recording reportedly contains a piece of wood taken from the front porch of her childhood home in Sevierville, Tennessee. Parton grew up in a family of 12 children before building one of the most successful careers in country music history.

‘My Place In History’ May Not Be Dolly Parton’s Only Posthumous Music

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The “Dream Box” recording may be Parton’s mystery song to the world, but it may not necessarily be the only new music fans could eventually hear.

Entertainment Weekly revealed that she had deliberately prepared material so her musical legacy would continue long after she is gone.

During a 2020 appearance on the “Dolly Parton’s America” podcast, the singer said she had written hundreds, potentially thousands, of songs that had never been recorded.

She also explained that she was intentionally recording vocals in ways that could allow future producers to build new arrangements around them.

“For me, as far as what I hope my music will be left behind, I hope that it will always live,” she said during the interview.

Editor’s Note: The following contains spoilers for Trying Season 5.Over the course of five seasons, Apple TV’s greatest hidden gem, Trying, has evolved from a couple wanting to start a family to now navigating the challenges of keeping them all together. While Season 5 throws Esther Smith’s Nikki and Rafe Spall’s Jason into some of their toughest emotional territory yet with the return of their children’s biological mother, Kat (Charlotte Riley), the striking chapter forces everyone to rethink where they fit into each other’s lives.

Along the way, Nikki admits she was really digging her new coworker Kerry (Colin Morgan), Jason begins questioning whether he’s really cut out to become a social worker, and their daughter Princess (Scarlett Rayner) finally confronts the questions she’s carried with her since foster care. Yet somehow, Trying still finds room for bad rap songs, mistaken identities, and a festival centered around Scott’s (Darren Boyd) latest bizarre idea.

Ahead of the Season 5 finale, Collider spoke with Smith and Spall about the biggest turning points of Episode 8’s “WoodScott,” and why the ending feels less like a goodbye than the start of another chapter for the family. As Smith puts it, the finale “gives opportunity for them to go in any direction now,” while Spall sees a future in which Trying continues moving beyond its original adoption story: “Now it’s kind of a family show. It’s about family.”

In an exclusive with Collider, Smith and Spall together unpack how the finale brings several long-running stories to a close, including Kat’s heartbreaking farewell to Princess and Tyler (Cooper Turner), while leaving Nikki, Jason, and their family with plenty of room to keep growing.

Nikki and Jason’s Marriage Survives Its Biggest Test Yet

“Something’s tested, and it’s how you meet that test.”

Image via Apple TV

Image via Apple TV

For the first time in the Andy Wolton-created series, Nikki and Jason’s relationship is tested by something that doesn’t exactly come from the outside, but more so from Nikki herself. As Kat’s return leaves her feeling disconnected from her family, the anxious Nikki finds herself drawn to a new coworker, Kerry. But what begins as an innocent friendship slowly turns into a crush, culminating in Episode 6’s (“Halloween”) beautifully written and performed confession at the movie theater, where Nikki admits she never corrected Jason when he assumed Kerry was a woman. But instead of turning that into a sappy and melodramatic moment, Trying doubles down on what has always made this couple so lovely: their willingness to tell each other the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable.

“I’m really pleased that that was the resolution of that,” Smith tells Collider. “When I first heard that there was going to be this character called Kerry that was a potential threat, I freaked out a little bit because I was like, ‘Surely not. Nothing can damage this solid relationship.’ And actually, in essence, what it does is something’s tested, and it’s how you meet that test. They did meet it really maturely, so then that’s just added more growth and more strength to them.”

That emotional spiral wasn’t really about Kerry, though. As Smith explains, Nikki’s feelings stemmed from believing she was slowly losing her place in her own family while Princess bonded with Kat and Jason settled into college. “Nikki’s scared that she’s being left behind and that she’s being forgotten about, and things are changing around her,” she says. “She wants to figure out who she is now without the mom hat on.” Even her decision not to tell Jason that Kerry was a man felt like a line she knew she was crossing.

But for her co-star (and real-life husband), Spall, that’s exactly why the storyline works. Rather than manufacturing conflict for the sake of it, Trying trusts Nikki and Jason to have built the kind of relationship that can withstand difficult conversations. “It’s a healthy dynamic,” he says. “They’re challenged constantly. In this instance, it’s, with them, a breaking of trust. But they have a very mature, healthy approach to their relationship. They know that things happen. They know that things get thrown at them. And yes, they love each other, but also they like each other. They like each other, and they really see each other… All of these things that we’re talking about contribute to them still being a pretty aspirational couple, really.”

Princess’s Reunion With Kat Changes the Future of the Family

Kat is “a bomb” thrown into the family, but she is not the villain.

While Nikki and Jason’s marriage comes out stronger by the end of Season 5, the finale’s biggest emotional payoff belongs to Princess. Ever since her mother reappeared at the start of the season, Princess has been chasing the idea of the relationship she always wished she could have with her biological mum. But in “WoodScott,” the teenager finally realizes that some questions just don’t have the right answers. In what is also one of the season’s most heartbreaking moments, Princess unknowingly opens up to Kat (hidden inside the festival mascot costume she believes Nikki is wearing), admitting she still keeps the rucksack she brought from foster care under her bed for fear of never feeling settled. Later, when Kat tells Princess it’s time to unpack that rucksack before leaving her children for Thailand, it isn’t just a goodbye but permission to finally move forward.

For Smith, that emotional moment only works because Nikki has spent the season learning that loving Princess also means making room for Kat, despite how difficult that is. “What’s really lovely in this season is the way Nikki gets the opportunity to show parts of her maturity,” she says. “She’s not a cruel person; she just loves her children, and she is so protective, and there’s this threat of this person who’s actually a really profoundly fundamental human in Princess’s life, who she wants to get to know her. She has an opportunity, and Nikki allows that, which I think is such a strength in her and the love that she has for her daughter.”

That perspective also reshapes how Kat is viewed by the finale. Throughout the season, it would have been easy to paint her as the villain disrupting Nikki and Jason’s life, but Trying refuses to take the easy route. Spall credits that to creator Wolton’s writing. “I think the show just does such a great job of subverting expectations,” he says. “It avoids cliché. Everyone in it is rounded and does things that are surprising.”

Instead, Kat is desperately trying to reconnect with her daughter while knowing she can never undo the years they lost. Spall believes that complexity is exactly what has allowed the show to keep growing after five seasons. “Even the character of Kat, who is kind of this bomb that is thrown into the family,” he says, “you care about her, and she herself is trying to do something that she’s simply not equipped to do.”

It’s for this reason that he believes the series has naturally evolved beyond its original premise. By the time the show’s final scene rolls around, Princess walks downstairs without the emotional weight she’s carried since Nikki and Jason found her in Season 2, joining her family around the dinner table. Kat may have left, but she finally gives Princess enough closure to stop searching for the mother she imagined and embrace the family that has been there all along.

Jason’s Next Chapter Could Take ‘Trying’ Full Circle

The finale “gives opportunity for them to go in any direction now.”

Image via Apple TV

Although “WoodScott” wraps nearly every major storyline with a satisfying sense of closure, Trying never feels like it’s saying goodbye. Jason’s biggest throughline this season has been whether he’s cut out to become a social worker after struggling through his placement. Meanwhile, Nikki is trying to discover who she is beyond being needed every second of the day, and Princess has reached a place where she can start looking forward. Rather than the story ending, the finale clears the board for a new phase, and, as executive producers this season, both see that as one of the finale’s biggest strengths.

While the Season 5 finale ends with a neat emotional bow, Smith doesn’t believe it closes any doors for the series. “It does have a very neat bow at the end of it, but it’s not so much a bow as in to be like, ‘Okay, that’s it. Goodbye now!’” Smith smiles. “I hope that we get to do it again, because I would like to see it go full circle and see what it looks like with Jason looking after a family as a social worker. I just think that would be a really lovely thing to experience. I equally hope that that’s not the end of it, but I think it gives opportunity for them to go in any direction now, actually.”

Spall agrees, believing Jason’s biggest journey is only just beginning. Rather than making him an instant success in his new career, the show embraces the uncertainty that comes with starting over. As Spall points out, that has always been Trying’s philosophy: “Even with them getting the kids, they’re not great at it. They try, and they are great in certain ways, but they’re not perfect.”

That same honesty carries into Jason’s new career. “I like the fact that Jason is like, ‘I don’t even know if I’m cut out for this. I think I might just quit and not do it anymore.’ I think that’s very human,” Spall says. “I think there’s room for, if there’s another season, where it could be that Scarlett’s character goes to university, and so then they’ve got an empty nest again… Because it’s a show that started off being about adoption, and now it’s kind of a family show. It’s about family, and Andy’s done a really great job in continuing to give the show life. Because, ultimately, these shows live and die on being a collection of people that you like hanging out with, and they’re really well-rounded, original characters. Still, it’s my favorite thing to do.”

Trying is now available to stream on Apple TV. Watch the full interview with Esther Smith and Rafe Spall above.

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Trying

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Release Date

2020 – 2023

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Network

Apple TV

Directors

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Ollie Parsons, Ellie Heydon, Elliot Hegarty, Jim O’Hanlon

Writers

Andy Wolton, Oriane Messina, James Wood, Fay Rusling

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Olivia Jade Giannulli has found her ace in tennis star Taylor Fritz, with a source exclusively telling Us they “are dating.”

The pair have been “seeing each other for the last three months,” the insider says.

While the start of Giannulli, 26, and Fritz’s budding romance was kept quiet, the source tells Us, “Taylor invited Olivia to be his date for Paige Lorenze and Tommy Paul‘s wedding and that was their public debut as a couple.” (Fellow tennis player Paul, 29, married influencer Lorenze, 28, in July at Old Westbury Gardens on Long Island, New York.)

Fritz, 28, and Giannulli have been “keeping things private and low-key,” the insider explains, noting that they are “very much dating.”

Related: Morgan Riddle Wears ‘Ex-Girlfriend’ Tee Amid Taylor Fritz Split

Influencer Morgan Riddle might have just subtly addressed her relationship status with tennis champ Taylor Fritz after the pair called it quits. “Is this thing on?” Riddle, 28, wrote via Instagram on Saturday, April 25, hours after multiple media outlets reported she had broken up with Fritz, also 28. In a photo carousel, Riddle snapped […]

The influencer and O.Piccola founder met Fritz “through their friend group” in the Big Apple, the source continues.

As Giannulli and Fritz’s romance continues to blossom, the insider says, “They aren’t putting pressure on it [but they] have been spending a lot of time together these last few months.”

Us has reached out to Giannulli and Fritz’s reps for comment.

The professional athlete’s relationship with Giannulli comes just months after he and Morgan Riddle called it quits. Fritz and Riddle, 29, dated for nearly six years before Us confirmed in April that they had quietly split one month prior.

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Related: Shirtless Taylor Fritz Heats Up the Internet After Morgan Riddle Split

Taylor Fritz is heating up the internet with some post breakup thirst traps. Less than a month after Us Weekly confirmed that Fritz, 28, had split from influencer Morgan Riddle after nearly six years of dating, the tennis pro took to social media with a few shirtless gym photos. “Just been working,” Fritz wrote via […]

“When public relationships end, it’s standard to do some sort of Instagram statement or video, and I tried to write that a few times and I was just like, ‘This is not me,’” Riddle told Elle in June.

She noted that since their split, she and Fritz are “on good terms.”

Giannulli, meanwhile, has been linked to a few famous faces over the years.

The YouTube star dated musician Jackson Guthry on and off from early 2019 to August 2021.

Related: Olivia Jade Was a Bridesmaid in Candace Cameron Bure‘s Daughter’s Wedding

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It’s a full-circle moment for Full House’s Lori Loughlin and Candace Cameron Bure. Footage from the wedding of Cameron Bure’s daughter, Natasha Bure, 27, revealed that Loughlin’s daughter Olivia Jade Giannulli, 25, played a role in the nuptials. (Cameron Bure, 49, and husband Valeri Bure also share sons Lev, 25, and Maksim, 23. Loughlin, for […]

Giannulli was then linked to Frankenstein actor Jacob Elordi. The pair began spending time together in December 2021, with Us confirming in May 2022 that Lori Loughlin and estranged-husband Mossimo Giannulli’s daughter was officially dating Elordi, 29.

Olivia Jade had an on-off relationship with the Euphoria alum over the next few years, splitting in August 2025 before briefly rekindling the romance the following month.

Us confirmed in October 2025 that the duo had split for good, with a source calling their reconciliation “very short-lived.”

“They were seeing each other for about a month before they figured out it wasn’t working again,” the insider said. “Olivia has been in NYC and Jacob has been filming, and has his home base in L.A., so distance was a factor.”

Related: How Olivia Jade and Bella Giannulli Feel About Their Parents’ Split

Olivia Jade Giannulli and sister Bella Giannulli are “definitely upset” by their parents Lori Loughlin and Mossimo Giannulli’s separation — but they “aren’t surprised,” a source exclusively tells Us Weekly. “They had seen the way their parents were interacting in the last year and knew this was coming,” the insider says. “It was not a shock to anyone in the family.” Us confirmed […]

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The source added that the relationship “ran its course,” and Elordi and Olivia Jade “realized they are better off not together.”

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Olivia Jade sparked romance speculation with Fritz in May after DeuxMoi reported they were spotted at The Bird Streets Club in Los Angeles.

The rumors continued to swirl after Olivia Jade posted photos from London in July during the same timeframe that Fritz was competing at Wimbledon.

The pair have not publicly commented on their relationship, but they were spotted together again in New York on Monday, August 24.

Dolly Parton‘s spokesperson revealed that the singer died following a “brief battle with cancer.”

“Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched. Her unmatched generosity reached the lives of countless people whom she would never meet, yet she was always there to offer a helping hand,” a spokesperson for the late singer said in a statement to People on Tuesday, August 25. “Whether it be the hundreds of millions of books donated through her invaluable Imagination Library or funding research that helped create a lifesaving vaccine used around the world, Dolly’s unconditional love for all people was the guiding force for her lasting impact.

The statement continued, “After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones.”

The type of cancer was not disclosed.

Related: Dolly Parton’s Health Struggles: Everything She Shared Before Her Death

Dolly Parton was open about her health issues before she died at the age of 80 in August 2026. In September 2025, Parton surprised fans when she missed a scheduled visit to her Dollywood theme park to celebrate the new Night Flight Expedition Ride. Instead, the country singer appeared in a prerecorded video message played […]

Parton’s death was confirmed earlier on Tuesday after months of undisclosed health issues. She was 80.

“A rhinestone life that shone bright enough for the world to see, Dolly will forever stand as an inspiration not only through her timeless music and prolific songwriting, but also her wit, warmth, and kindness that made us all feel like family,” read a separate statement from her rep. “Dolly Parton’s legacy is one of love, compassion, and resilience. With a seven-decade career, she inspired multiple generations of artists and fans with her music and an unwavering commitment to making the world a better place. Her songs will continue to resonate with people of all ages, and her philanthropic work will have a lasting impact.”

Before her death, Parton announced in May that she needed to postpone her Las Vegas residency amid health concerns. The country icon revealed that she was “responding really well to meds and treatment.”

Parton went on to recall how she previously overcame other conditions.

“It’s not like I haven’t been through hard times with my health,” she told People at the time. “But I think because we live in a 24/7 world with social media, everything gets magnified in ways it wasn’t years ago. I used to joke that I was the Queen of the Tabloids, but now I guess I can say I’m the Queen of Social Media AI! Seriously, though, even though I’m still healin’, I’m still workin’.”

Parton assured fans that her health was improving.

“It’s gonna take me a little while before I’m up to stage performance level because some of the meds and treatments make me a little bit swimmy-headed, as my grandma used to say,” she said. “And of course, I can’t be dizzy carrying around banjos, guitars and such on five-inch heels.”

Parton promised to return to the stage “better than ever,” adding, “When they raised the hood on this old antique, they realized that I need to rebuild my engine and that my transmission is slipping, my oil pan is leaking, my muffler is busted and my shocks and pistons need to be replaced, and for sure, my spark plugs need to be changed.”

“My immune system and my digestive system got all out of whack over the past couple three years, and they’re working real hard on rebuilding and strengthening those and hopefully I’ll be up to snuff again soon,” she quipped.

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Earlier this month, Parton missed a scheduled appearance at the opening of a new roller-coaster at her Dollywood theme park.

“I’m supposed to be there in person, like we planned,” she said in a video message shared with attendees at the event held on Friday, August 13. “Now I’ve told you before, all my fans, that I have had a few little health issues. And sometimes I get a little dizzy, and I get dehydrated.”

Parton continued: “I’m dehydrated, so my Nashville doctor clipped my wings, saying you ain’t traveling this week. I guess if your doctor tells you you ain’t traveling this week, you ain’t traveling this week.”

Jennifer Lawrence might be responsible for my next controversial shoe purchase. The actress stepped out in kitten heels earlier this spring, and while I wasn’t ready to join the backless-shoe bandwagon then, I’m actually considering the style. Suddenly, the polarizing look is exactly what my fall wardrobe is missing.

Lawrence was spotted wearing pointed-toe kitten heels with a black midi dress and sparkly silver bag. It was cool, slightly unexpected and proof that the divisive shoes can make even the simplest staples feel more fashion-forward. I’m officially sold, so I found five Lawrence-inspired kitten heels to shop now.

5 Jennifer Lawrence-Inspired Black Mule Heels

1. My Favorite: If I’m copying Lawrence’s controversial shoe choice, I’m starting with these pointed-toe kitten heels. The tiny heel and backless silhouette look strikingly similar. At $53, they’re an easy way to test-drive the trend.

2. Luxe Look: Texture makes these pointed-toe mules look designer-like. The black croc finish is my pick for copying Lawrence, but they also come in white and burgundy croc for a bolder fall moment.

3. Super Sleek: I can already tell these $40 mules will become a regular in my shoe rotation. The pointed toe and low heel are polished without trying too hard. Choose from classic black, leopard print and more.

4. Woven Wonder: Lawrence’s pair may be smooth, but these woven kitten heel mules make a strong case for switching things up. The textured finish looks luxe and expensive, while the pointed toe and kitten heel still capture her sleek silhouette.

5. Buckle Up: Lawrence kept her mules simple, but these buckle kitten heels make the controversial trend a little more fun. The chic detail dresses up the pointed toe, and I can already picture them with everything from jeans to a little black dress.

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