Dolly Parton Message Goes Viral After Halftime Show Backlash

At 77 years old, Dolly Parton is an American icon. Singing since the age of 6, the country music sensation has landed 54 awards and 157 nominations during her 6-decade career, along with a coveted spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Although Parton is known for putting on a good show, fans were just as obsessed with her boundless energy and seemingly ageless appearance as her singing during Thursday's halftime show.

The Grammy winner showed up onstage during the Thanksgiving game at AT&T Stadium, in Arlington, Texas, to belt out hits including "Jolene" and "9 to 5." The singer donned a midriff-baring Dallas Cowboys cheerleader costume, complete with her trademark bouffant and long nails—and fans took notice.

"Dolly Parton at 77 and me almost half her age," joked X, formerly Twitter, user Jennifer, alongside a shot of Parton's half-time set and the 1621 Flemish painting "Young Woman on Her Deathbed."

Social media users clearly related, with Jennifer's joke receiving more than 5 million views and 9,000 reposts.

"Wow Dolly still looking awesome!" said Wise.

"Haha all the women in my family said the same thing during the halftime show," wrote Drew.

"Ohh I sure hope that I look that great when I'm 77," said Ksana.

"She's a living legend and a national treasure," commented Tonya Bailey.

"Ageless beauty and grace!" agreed @worlus_news. "Dolly Parton at 77 continues to inspire across generations. It's a testament to the timeless impact of her talent and spirit."

Newsweek has reached out to Parton for comment via email.

Despite her legendary status, Parton's halftime show—on behalf of the Salvation Army—came under fire, with anti-vaxxers slamming the Grammy winner online. Conspiracy theorists criticized the star for helping to fund the COVID-19 vaccine in 2020, when Parton donated $1 million to researchers at Vanderbilt University, where testing for the Moderna vaccine took place.

"When I donated the money to the COVID fund, I just wanted it to do good and evidently, it is. Let's just hope we find a cure real soon," Parton told NBC News at the time.

Anti-vaxxers slammed music and NFL fans praising Parton for her halftime performance, calling her a "big pharma shill" and "immoral."

However, fans of Parton came to her defense, dubbing her a "force of kindness" and "one of the world's most amazing humans."

In an exclusive interview with Newsweek, Parton said she refuses to let her age stop her from doing what she loves—including releasing her first rock album in her 70s.

"I don't think of myself in numbers of years," she told Newsweek. "If you're talented, your talent is going to last, if your mind is still good and your body holds up.

"I'm kind of making hay while the sun shines, because for some reason unbeknownst to me, I'm still hot."

Correction, 11/28/23, 3:05 a.m. ET: This article has been updated to say that Dolly Parton's half-time show took place on Thursday, not Friday.