0001

In her 2016 interview with Larry King, Dolly Parton reflects on several facets of identity—ranging from personal authenticity and gender to work ethic and aging. It's interesting that her identity wasn't flexible. She decided on one "package" and lived it her entire life. It wouldn't necessarily work for everyone, as most people adapt to what the tribe or clan wants,

• Work as a Spiritual Necessity: Parton views her career as a lifestyle rather than just a job. Influenced by her father, she feels a persistent need to "be working for a living". She explains that she does not work for money, but rather for her "soul" and her "mind" because she simply loves what she does.
• Confidence and Aging: To maintain her confidence, Parton relies on a consistent belief in herself, her values, and who she is, regardless of her age. She resists focusing on the aging process, choosing instead to live with the mental frame of mind she had at age 35 and aiming to "grow old gracefully".
• Visual and Creative Identity: Parton's creative identity is a hybrid; she views herself as both a writer who sings and a singer who writes, noting the two "go together" for her. Additionally, she addresses her visual identity by revealing that her tattoos are not meant to make "bold statements," but are pastel designs used to disguise purple keloid scarring.