SHOCKING NEWS: 45 minutes ago, news outlets widely shared images of Dolly Parton tearfully recounting memories with her mother, heartbroken by the heartfelt words her mother spoke before she passed away…

Dolly Parton has always embraced authenticity, both in her personal life and in her career, and much of that can be attributed to her upbringing in Tennessee and the wisdom imparted by her mother. Recently, she revealed one of the most significant pieces of advice that her mom gave her: the six-word phrase, “To thine own self be true.”

This phrase, taken from Shakespeare’s Hamlet, has stayed with Dolly throughout her life and has shaped the way she approaches both her personal and professional endeavors. “There’s a whole lot of meaning in that phrase,” she explains. “Because I’ve always tried to stay true to me.” Parton says that whenever she’s asked for advice, this is the core principle she shares, urging others to maintain their authenticity and stay true to who they are.

But the country legend doesn’t stop there. Dolly has also coined her own phrase that echoes a similar message: “Find out who you are and do it on purpose. And do it with purpose.” She emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, encouraging people to discover their own identity rather than imitate others. “You’ve got to know who you are because so many people try to emulate or copy somebody else,” she says. “But you really need to do things your way, according to your rules, your personality, your mindset, your faith.”

Dolly’s guidance also comes with a word of caution: while sacrifices are a part of life, she warns against compromising one’s core principles. “Don’t ever sacrifice who you are, your principles and your morals and your values to just try to get ahead in business. It ain’t worth it,” she advises. For Dolly, remaining true to herself has been essential, not just in music, but in the choices she’s made throughout her career and personal life.

This emphasis on authenticity is also evident in Dolly’s distinctive personal style. Though she’s known for her bold, glamorous look, she says it wasn’t an attempt to fit a certain standard of beauty. “I’m not tall. I’m never going to be like a supermodel, so I like to wear my high heels,” she admits. She explains that her signature style – the big hair, the high heels, and the bright, bold clothes – is not about trying to look like someone else, but rather embracing what makes her feel like the best version of herself.

For Dolly, her clothing choices reflect her outgoing, friendly, and approachable personality. “I’ve had people through the years say, ‘Oh, we need to tone it down. Nobody will ever take you serious looking like that because you look like trash,’” Dolly recalls. “I said, ‘Well, I was influenced by the trash in my hometown. So I’m not trash, but I like that trashy look.’” For Dolly, it’s never about conforming to other people’s standards, but about wearing what makes her feel comfortable and authentic.

As she has proven time and again, Dolly Parton is a woman who defines her own path, staying true to herself and encouraging others to do the same. She believes in embracing the unique qualities that make each person who they are – from their appearance to their values – and living life in a way that feels right for them, not for others.