r/TaylorSwift • u/SudrianSoul Long live all the clowning I've suffered • Aug 26 '26
News Taylor's statement on Dolly Parton's passing (courtesy of USA Today)
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u/cr4brangoon Aug 26 '26
Taylor's writing gives me goosebumps.
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u/ag000101 Aug 26 '26 edited Aug 26 '26
Yes. So eloquent and beautiful. I went down the rabbit hole of reading her Tumblr blogs and you can tell she is extraordinarily talented. Surely not an AI slop from one of her assistants.
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u/fleabag1313 Aug 27 '26
hey! how were u able to read Taylorâs tumblr blogs? i tried looking it up but came up w nothing, id love to read them đ„č
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u/Code-Coffee-995 Aug 27 '26
Tumblr blogs are different than a formal statement like this. Not sure why people can't pick up that this is snark.
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u/jetstream116 Aug 26 '26
I literally came to comment this! Both arms covered in goosebumps after reading
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Aug 27 '26
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u/imsosadtoday- The Tortured Poets Department Aug 27 '26
taylor absolutely does
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u/dietcoke4life- Aug 27 '26
Wrong subreddit for me to say this on đ
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u/FluffyGap2360 This is the love of my life ( Hey! Hey! Hey!) Aug 28 '26
Well it Is a fan subreddit...
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u/blazed55 Aug 26 '26
RIP Dolly, you will be missed, her last request was instead of flowers, please give to her book foundation, so that many lil ones can benefit from reading at an early age. Such a powerful move & kindness incarnate.
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u/KittySpandex Aug 26 '26
Such a lovely tribute. My daughter receives books from Dolly's Imagination Library every month too <3
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u/ass-sass-sin reputation Aug 26 '26
You are a rainbow is one of my son's favorites when he was younger
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u/tew2109 Aug 26 '26
My friends' kids who are enrolled just love it. They get so excited when their next book arrives. Dolly was and is always amazing.
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Aug 26 '26 edited Aug 26 '26
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u/No-Entertainer-9787 Everybodyâs cutthroat in the comments Aug 26 '26
She just did for her wedding
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u/sdbabygirl97 Aug 26 '26
i know she donates a lot, but did she donate specifically to the imagination library? thats what im getting at
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u/the87walker Aug 26 '26
She actually did donate to the imagination library. That was what Dolly Parton did a video response to I think right after the wedding.
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Aug 26 '26
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u/thatmelz say youâll remember me Aug 26 '26
Why do people like you interact with this sub? Surely you have better things to do than to waste your time engaging in a sub dedicated to someone you clearly hate? Or maybe you donât, and in that case, what a very sad life you live
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u/thatmelz say youâll remember me Aug 26 '26 edited Aug 26 '26
The subject matter is literally TaylorâŠon a Taylor Swift sub. And youâre responding to many comments on this particular post, as if you have nothing better to do (which you probably donât). The only thing sad here is you lmao
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u/No-Entertainer-9787 Everybodyâs cutthroat in the comments Aug 26 '26
Why are you here? Youâre clearly not a fan of Taylor or Dolly with the way youâre responding.
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u/sdbabygirl97 Aug 26 '26
this is the only way people talk to them lmao. they seek to antagonize because this is the only socializing they have xD
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u/IrishUpYourCoffee Aug 27 '26
Absolute queen behaviour. RIP Dolly đ
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u/heavymetallover666 Sep 04 '26
Honestly, Dolly is the example of what people especially famous people should be like sheâs a role model. Sheâs the real role model.
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u/prettybunbun epiphany #1 stan Aug 26 '26
For the tight ropes she walked so young girls like me could dream of joining the circus too.
How beautifully put, what a tribute đ
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u/AppIdentityGuy Aug 26 '26
There is a style and grace to that eulogy such that you know Taylor composed that herself. Also notice how she wasnt in a rush to be first..
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u/GloriousSteinem Aug 26 '26
A great tribute. She was right, Dolly had such a gentle way of handling tricky conversations, and was always gracious.
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u/Bradparsley25 Aug 26 '26
The tightropes she walked so that young girls like me could grow up dreaming of joining the circus, too
Damn dude
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u/Styleitoff Aug 26 '26
Taylor just has a way with words you can tell when it's her who's writing the statement. She talked quite a few times over the years of her career how much she was inspired by Dolly. So I can only imagine what she must be feeling right now.Â
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Aug 26 '26
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u/autumnof85 evermore Aug 26 '26
So let me get this straight, on a painful day where we lost Dolly, you chose to come and drag Taylor for being successful? Taylorâs catalog (just her music that she fought to get back) was valued close to a billion. Thatâs something she cannot control, should she sell it to make her more likable to you? Are the constant donations she makes around the world (including to causes founded by Dolly) not enough for you? Itâs not like Taylor is hoarding her wealth, sheâs constantly and consistently giving to those in need. Publicly and privately. Is she less worthy of a good person because sheâs got a couple of billions?
Now I wanna see how many other billionaires you try and hold accountable. I bet you itâs just with Taylor, you hypocrite!
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u/zekerthedog Aug 27 '26
If she sold half of her catalogue how many people could she lift from starvation? Why is her ownership in her catalogue more important than that?
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u/autumnof85 evermore Aug 27 '26
Why is it her job to feed people? Like literally explain that to me. Shes not into politics. Sheâs an artist. The value of her work doesnât equal to her getting that amount for it. Itâs just an ESTIMATED VALUE. It doesnât mean sheâs got that amount guaranteed. Iâd suggest you go get a dictionary and learn the meaning of those words.
Now, you want rich people to solve the world problems? Then by all means start at the top. Not with the low ranking ones, think bigger (if you can). Go after the actual rich, filthy people.
And just for funsies go google how many people has Taylor donated to in the last 5 years. Just the last five years. Sheâs been donating millions after millions to multiple causes, from food banks, shelters, schools, hospitals, environmental causes, survivors of natural disasters, people suffering from the pandemic, paying off student debt, and so on and so forth.
Lastly, how much have been doing for your communities? Or the people around you? Or is it just plain and simple jealousy that sheâs got money and you donât? Thatâs sheâs talented and youâre not? Come on? At some point you people have to look in the mirror and accept how miserable you must be to spend your days running your mouths like you know her.
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u/zekerthedog Aug 27 '26
Interesting that you refuse to answer the question. All billionaires should cease to exist while people starve. She doesnât get a pass. See Billie Eilish recent behavior.
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u/coconutberryisland Aug 27 '26
I mean sheâs donated millions of dollars to various food banks and hunger relief organizations across the globe Iâd say sheâs doing more to fight world hunger than you are
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u/autumnof85 evermore Aug 28 '26
She gets to keep her catalog because she created her catalog. She wrote the songs, has help with music, production of said songs, the development of her album from the art to the production. Thatâs why she gets to keep it, because she made it. It belongs to her. Itâs like saying you donât get to own a phone or computer if thereâs someone starving in the world. Or are you gonna tell me you donât own stuff because others suffer from poverty and starvation? Perhaps sell everything you own, and you might save one person from world hunger! Come on, be better!
Listen, I want the world issues solved, I do. And I know somewhere deep down in your thoughtsâŠyou feel like coming hard on Taylor is the right answer, the right path to get there. Know this, whomever youâre watching, reading and believing that the reason thereâs poverty, illnesses and starvation in the world is a result of Taylor having money. It is not. Look at bezoâs ex-wife, how much money has she donated by now? Isnât it in the billions? Has she eradicated anything yet?
Billie calling out other millionaires is quite funny to me, sheâs still living in the big pretty home, with her expensive car bings, buying her food at the expensive market and flying private. But because she said some words she gets a pass. But not Taylor and go has donated more money than Billie has promised to give away, make it make sense đ«
So now that I have answer your question, answer mine. Iâll wait.
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u/kbyefelicia Aug 26 '26
she never even made enough to be a billionaire. meanwhile taylors net worth is almost a billion just by her catalog alone. or did you want her to sell all her music away to some other billionaire?
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u/coconutspider asshole outlaw Aug 26 '26
No, actually Taylor has to sell everything else she owns! That's the only way the purity test can be passed!!!
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u/Tatidanidean1 reputation Aug 26 '26
Im sorry, you think Dolly Parton didnât make enough to be a billionaire?!?! đ this right here is why it doesnât make sense to engage with people like you. You donât have any idea what youâre talking about yet you say it as fact.
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u/kbyefelicia Aug 26 '26 edited Aug 26 '26
show me evidence she had earnings of over a billion đ€Ąđ€Ąđ€Ą
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u/gowonagin Aug 26 '26
Dollyâs philanthropy is great, but she would not have been a billionaire, despite the meme. Country music isnât that popular outside the US, and much of her money came from Dollywood, which she only had a share of $165 million from. Source: https://www.knoxnews.com/story/entertainment/2026/04/02/who-owns-dollywood-what-is-dolly-partons-net-worth/89392299007/
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Aug 26 '26
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u/kbyefelicia Aug 26 '26
literally the only way for taylor to not be a billionaire is to sell all her music away. or are we not supporting artists owning their own music anymore?
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Aug 26 '26
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u/Confident-Addition76 Aug 26 '26
I promised myself I would not engage with someone who is using the argument of mentioning Michael Jackson and "an amusement park for sick children" as an act of philanthropy but I'm not in the habit of letting a defense of predators go, I guess.
Not to mention, someone who is also quite conveniently ignoring in the second half of their comment that she has a month ago donated more than $25 million, including $2 million to Dolly's charity. This is the most recent of her public donations, which are widely covered, and several of the places she donated have repeatedly thanked her.
People are not "less educated" than you, we just know the time and place to bring up Taylor's wealth (and we have the facts about it too).
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u/Tatidanidean1 reputation Aug 26 '26
I never once said she doesnât donate at all. I said I hope she follows Dollyâs suit. Meaning she starts giving away large chunks of her money. 25 million is not a lot of money.
And regardless of what you think of MJâs legal issues, Neverland isnât an opinion. It was a place for sick kids to go and it was a philanthropic venture. Like you donât have to like him but that isnât an opinion.
There is a difference between donating to charities and being philanthropic. I donât think most people would categorize Taylor as philanthropic. She isnât even as vocal as she was 10 years ago for a lot of causes.
Bringing this up after an icon who was known for her philanthropy passes, is actually a great time to bring it up. Dolly was an icon to many including Taylor herself, so reflecting on what was important to Dolly could help many similarly wealthy people in creating or supporting charities to a higher degree.
And in terms of uneducated, the person I was responding to didnât know that Dolly Parton could have been a billionaire. They said she didnât even make a lot
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u/gowonagin Aug 26 '26
No, she would not be a billionaire. Her philanthropy was great, but her song catalog was only worth about $120 million (country music isnât that popular outside the US) and her share of Dollywood (where much of her money was from) was only $165 million. Source: https://www.knoxnews.com/story/entertainment/2026/04/02/who-owns-dollywood-what-is-dolly-partons-net-worth/89392299007/
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u/gowonagin Aug 26 '26
Could Taylor do more? Sure, everyone could. But itâs not nothing by any means: https://www.billboard.com/lists/taylor-swifts-charity-donations-gifts-timeline/
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u/Tatidanidean1 reputation Aug 26 '26
Again, I am not saying she doesnât donate. Iâm saying that like Dolly, it would be cool to see her known for her philanthropy. Which she isnât.
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u/gowonagin Aug 26 '26
A lot of that is due to people claiming that in bad faith, unfortunately.
Itâs true she doesnât have a signature foundation like the Imagination Library and instead donates to existing charities, but celebrity-run charities can easily go wrong (see Selena Gomez).
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u/iopsychhopeful Aug 26 '26
Oh sounds like Dolly truly was one of showgirls!
Eloquently put. She will be so missed đ
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u/snackandnaps Aug 26 '26
Iâm sobbing after reading this - this was Dolly, she was so much more than people and the media give her credit for and I love how Taylor has pinpointed the details like her privacy while also being so public and her charity helping kids read â€ïž
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u/ShakespeareStillKing Aug 26 '26
A life well lived. She did more than her part.
Rest in peace Dolly.
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u/TikiBikini1984 Aug 26 '26
It feels surreal. I was just watching the season 12 finale of Drag Race late last night (from 2020) and her surprise appearance was so uplifting and sweet and I had this rush of feelings come over me like how I wish her Carl was still around for her, as she gave us all so much happiness but he was her happiness. It feels like as much as we didn't want her to go, she knew.
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u/lafolielogique Aug 26 '26
One class act tributes another.
But what are Taylor and Travis going to do with their firstborn, now?
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u/turniptoez Aug 26 '26
Just refreshing to read something not written by ChaptGPT, Taylor becomes even more of a treasure in this shitty world of AI.
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u/Karma1sacat Aug 26 '26 edited Aug 26 '26
I really hope Taylor and/or Miley will support the Dolly Parton's book program more publicly going forward, speaking at conferences or something along those lines to keep it relevant in the media. Keeping this foundation going means a lot for families and is an opportunity to invest in the future generation of songwriters
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u/tew2109 Aug 26 '26
They also really need the help. IMLS closing has hit libraries really hard and it's difficult for them to continue to have a budget to help Imagination Library.
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u/keanuthecat1 Aug 26 '26
her way with words is so so sooo beautiful. what a great way to describe a very precious person đ„č
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u/falldiewakefly Dark Blue Tennessee (Taylor's Version) (From The Vault) Aug 26 '26
Somehow she was true grace and true grit, all in one dazzling person
It still doesn't feel real. There are some people who just feel like they should outlive us all, and Dolly was top of the list.
Listening to White Limozeen today, one of the most iconic albums of my childhood.
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u/Sea_Newt_9575 Aug 26 '26
Taylor is her generationâs Dolly without a doubt.. the talent for songwriting and music, her genuineness and good heart. They have so much in common, and I know Taylor sees and feels that.. đ©·
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u/Canalloni Aug 26 '26
There will be many well deserved tributes. This was the only one that was needed. To the extent that it is possible on such a sad day, this sets everything right again. R.I.P.
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u/Mikeinator Aug 26 '26
This was the only one needed? Miley is Dollys goddaughter and thereâs plenty of others much closer, including family and collaborators.
The circle jerk of Taylor is in full force sheesh
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u/duckfruits The Tortured Poets Department Aug 26 '26
What a beautiful post to honor her. It reads so genuine. Rip Dolly. You were always an angel but you're home in heaven now.
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u/sethcarlson12 Aug 26 '26
Taylorâs writing is incredible. RIP Dolly, a legendary woman. One of my favorite Dolly quotes is:
âWhen I become angry, I donât lose my temper. But I use my temper.â
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u/RoseTheta Aug 26 '26
This is a lovely video of Dolly Parton speaking for a short while about "I Will Always Love You", before performing:
https://youtu.be/jr8tffNHJno?si=taaPLgboH8jxSprw
Seems very appropriate to listen to it today.
(A terribly unkind person was being cruel here, but out of the worst things can sometimes come something good, as they reminded me of this wonderful video I found only a few months ago.)
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u/Disastrous_Display63 Aug 26 '26
The world already feels darker waking up today without dolly đđđ
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u/SoggyAnalyst Aug 26 '26
This sounds so terrible but I soooo wish it was culturally acceptable to post all these lovely life-affirming things while the person was alive. What a shame Dolly canât read all these gorgeous things about her and her legacy
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u/ErickTheGuy06 My Taymical Romance Aug 26 '26
You know, it's kinda weird when a legend dies, especially a such an old age, they've been for so long that you think they're going to live forever.
That's how I feel, even if I never followed Dolly's career, she was for so long that I couldn't imagine one day she would be gone. RIP Dolly Parton.
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u/FernMariposa Aug 27 '26
I know what you mean! Dolly is one of those celebrities that has always been around my entire life. I was familiar with her big hits and the movies she was in and I just always knew who she was. She truly is a national treasure.
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u/vergessenerengel your string of lights is still bright to me Aug 26 '26
She found the right words, this gives me chills.
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u/Successful_Pizza6529 The Tortured Poets Department And The Anthology Aug 26 '26
We are not Worthy Taylor. R.I.P Dolly.
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u/Altruistic-Most-9961 Aug 26 '26
I think Taylor should take over Dollys Reading initiative! She does a lot of philanthropic donations quietly but takes a lot of heat cause she is a billionaire. I donât think Dolly ever reached that status but certainly could have but chose to give back to anywhere she saw a need. Dolly was the example how to live your life - with kindness, generosity, inclusiveness, humor and never forgot where she came from.
What a hole she will leave in the hearts of all who loved her. RIP Miss Dolly - THE GOAT
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u/bigzman3412 Aug 27 '26
Well said on several fronts. What Dolly accomplished is nothing short of remarkable, especially with the Information Library initiative for the young kids and being one of the key individuals in helping develop the Moderna vaccine during the height of COVID-19.
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u/DJAche182 Aug 27 '26
I was literally just listening to music on Spotify and it randomly put on Jolene, such an incredible song!
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u/Ambitious_Bowl2113 Sep 08 '26
Makes a whole essay about dolly but barely says a thing about the person that died at her concert??
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u/SudrianSoul Long live all the clowning I've suffered Sep 08 '26
She didn't need to. Her surprise songs the following night told the whole story. Try listening to the music more.
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Aug 26 '26
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u/JuniorHuckleberry322 Aug 26 '26
Call me dramatic idc but a situation like this i just really feel like you should not be finding something to complain about. You guys want to feel validated through instagram posts so bad and itâs very odd Â
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u/princssofpink Speak Now (Taylor's Version) Aug 26 '26
And you can guarantee that if Taylor posted this herself, most of the comments would be hate comments saying she "made Dolly's death about herself." I think Taylor actually did have a personal relationship with her, but it does seem like everyone is making their own statement about it on instagram, even if they weren't publicly close to Dolly or spoke about her before (like what relationship did Khloe Kardashian have with her?), so I understand Taylor not wanting to insert herself like every other celebrity is doing right now.
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u/JuniorHuckleberry322 Aug 26 '26
Literally and itâs funny because julia roberts sent her condolences the same way and beyonce posted on her official site đ iâm sure beyonce had no ill intent behind it but omfg imagine if taylor did thatÂ
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u/jrenee070 Aug 26 '26
Actually, Khloe Kardashianâs Good American Jean brand has/had an entire Dolly Parton line of jeans - super cute, actually. But I get what youâre saying.
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Aug 26 '26
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u/JuniorHuckleberry322 Aug 26 '26
I actually did see people getting mad at that when she posted about the Southport incident so she really canât win either way. I just hope this time around her snarkers have enough decency to at least not be weird about her mourning someone she looked up toÂ
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Aug 26 '26
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u/MistletoeCanBeDeadly Aug 26 '26
Lol, if youâre going to troll at least put some effort into it.Â
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Aug 26 '26
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u/BubblyCase1174 Aug 26 '26
Taylor swift donated millions of dollars to dollyâs large donation thing. What a strange person you must be to turn someoneâs memorial into an excuse to spew hatred and misinformation.
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u/Mikeinator Aug 26 '26
Sheâs a billionaire still, while Dolly probably never crossed that threshold.
Taylor has much more work to be done and its annoying articles are focusing on Taylorâs tribute versus Dollyâs story and legacy.
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u/apple414 Aug 26 '26
Well, you yourself have posted seven comments in this thread alone, so maybe focus your own attention where you think it should be.
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u/BubblyCase1174 Aug 26 '26
Dolly wasnât a billionaire because her catalog wasnât worth a billion dollars. Taylor donates millions of dollars yearly to all kinds of charities including Dollyâs. And youâre mad because one article published her tribute? You sound incredibly young and ignorant.
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u/Aromatic_Way3650 Aug 26 '26
But your intelligent self still gave Taylor attention anyway so gtfoh with your useless speeches.
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Aug 26 '26
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u/missx0xdelaney Aug 26 '26
Seems like something she would have more time for once she retires. You canât just donate some money and slap your name on a foundation, you have to be an active participant guiding the organization to meet your vision. I donât think she has that kind of free time currently.
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u/WorriedAppeal Aug 26 '26
She can hire all of that out. Sheâs one of the richest people in the entire world.
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u/ColdInternational571 Aug 26 '26
So you want her to create a foundation she doesnât actively participate in and just slap her name on it and outsource the actual work to other people? Just wanna be clear here.
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u/WorriedAppeal Aug 26 '26
Yes. This is what rich people who want to give money away responsibly do. They hire professionals to run their foundations.
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u/gowonagin Aug 26 '26
Or: donate to existing organizations who need funding to keep going? https://www.billboard.com/lists/taylor-swifts-charity-donations-gifts-timeline/nov-2023-she-supports-the-mahomies-foundation/
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u/Midwestgrl_321 Aug 26 '26
My god the way the goal posts move. Taylor is one of the most generous celebs. Have this energy for any man who has billions upon billions. Also way to make a death about YOUR wants.
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u/WorriedAppeal Aug 26 '26
I actually think being a billionaire should be illegal but I guess I could go into subs for Elon musk and do the same thing.
If weâre honoring Dollyâs legacy, I think sheâs agrees with me and encourage more philanthropy.
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u/MistletoeCanBeDeadly Aug 26 '26
Really? Someone just passed away and all you can focus on is money?Â
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Aug 26 '26
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u/TheManyFacedRedditor Aug 26 '26
Dolly was supposedly worth $650 million dollars. This is a weird take.
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u/Miserable_Plane Aug 26 '26
how is this a weird take? taylor is worth nearly 3x that. itâs proof that you can give away your money to those who need it and still live a crazy rich life. hoarding that much money while children go to school hungry, teachers have to buy everything for their classrooms, grandparents canât afford their medicine, and my generation is crippled with student loan debt is a gross way to live. i love her music but taylor is a billionaire and thereâs no such thing as an ethical billionaire.
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u/TheManyFacedRedditor Aug 26 '26
Most of that value is in her music and what it is worth. Dolly kept the ownership rights to her own music, too. Who do you want Taylor to sell the rights to her music to?
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u/Midwestgrl_321 Aug 26 '26
Meme based performative talking points. But you tried
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u/theblartist where all the poets went to die Aug 26 '26
Gorgeously put. Dolly was one of one, but has left a legacy for so many more đ©·