about her philanthropy, what accomplishments she’s most proud of, and how she remains so positive.
You’ve done great work supporting youth education through the Imagination Library, sending free books to children around the world. Why is that cause so close to your heart? I grew up in a very open-hearted, faith-based family. You’re taught to love and be accepting, and to give more than you receive. Both sides of my family are funny, tender-hearted, good people. Whether you believe in God or not, you need to be grounded; you need to believe in something greater than yourself. We grew up thinking that other people are just as important as we are. I wrote a song that’s going to be in my Christmas movie special in December. And it goes, “Whoever you are, be that.
I started it before I even had the Dollywood [amusement] park. I started giving out scholarships at the Sevier County High School, back when I had my first job with. We’ve done things like help people when Gatlinburg burned [in 2016]; there were so many people who lost their homes and businesses. We’ve bought instruments and uniforms for schools.
Over the years, I’ve admired how you’ve also been outspoken on LGBTQ+ rights and the need for acceptance. Have you felt the love back from that community?
YOU FUCKING SCARED ME