Dolly Parton’s cross-party appeal endured through decades of fame
Why it matters: tributes from Donald Trump to Hillary Clinton underscored her rare reach across America’s political divide.
Dolly Parton’s death has prompted a wave of reflection on the unusual breadth of her appeal in the United States, where the country star drew admiration from Republicans and Democrats, older fans and Gen Z, evangelicals and drag performers. Parton largely stayed out of electoral politics, saying she did not want to alienate fans on either side. Even so, she spoke publicly at times on women’s rights, LGBTQ equality and Black Lives Matter. A YouGov poll cited by the BBC put her net approval at 65%, far above figures for major political leaders and celebrities. After her death, Donald Trump ordered flags flown at half-staff, while Hillary Clinton called her “the best of America.”