RANCHO MIRAGE, CA - JANUARY 24: Singer Dolly Parton Performs at Agua Caliente Casino on January 24, 2014 in Rancho Mirage, California. (Photo by Valerie Macon/Getty Images)

Dolly Parton Named As One Time’s 100 Most Influential People in the World

by jwills | September 17, 2021

Dolly Parton has been named to the 2021 TIME100, TIME’s annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world.

The list, selected by editors and now in its eighteenth year, recognizes the impact, innovation and achievement of the world’s most influential individuals.

Dolly’s profile piece was written by her God-daughter, Miley Cyrus.

In the opening of the piece, Miley writes, “Have you ever met anyone who doesn’t love Dolly Parton? I never have. Dolly is not only my idol because of her incomparable career—she’s also my role model because of her steadfast morals and values. At her core, she is the definition of a humanitarian. She’s also the world’s most impeccably purposeful walking contradiction, having developed her iconic look after being inspired by the town tramp. Now she’s known as a saintly, even godlike, figure.”

Miley adds, “There’s a theory that you shouldn’t meet your heroes, but I wish everyone had the chance to meet Dolly Parton, because she’s even better than your sparkliest dreams. She may be my fairy godmother, but I think she’s that to everyone else too. I am happy to share her with the world.”

View Dolly’s entire Time 100 profile, written by Miley Cyrus, here: https://time.com/collection/100-most-influential-people-2021/6096090/dolly-parton/

Along with Dolly, the 2021 Time 100 list also includes Kane Brown, Shonda Rhimes, Simone Biles, Naomi Osaka, Tom Brady, Elon Musk, Billie Eilish, Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and more.

The full list is available now at time.com/time100 and in the Oct. 4 issue of TIME, available on newsstands Friday, September 17.

This Monday, September 20th, Kane will appear in the Time 100 TV special airing on ABC at 10pm ET / 9pm CT.