Dolly Parton has reportedly snubbed Meghan Markle, declining an invitation to appear on the Duchess of Sussex’s Netflix series With Love, Meghan. Celebrity commentator Kinsey Schofield revealed on The Nerve with Maureen Callahan podcast that Parton’s team was opposed to the idea, citing concerns over the potential impact on the country music icon’s reputation.
Schofield explained that Parton’s team was wary of associating her with Meghan, believing the appearance could harm her credibility. “Her team was livid because they didn’t want to risk Dolly’s reputation and popularity by linking her to Meghan Markle,” Schofield said. “They knew this ask was about giving Meghan credibility in a lifestyle space where Dolly has a lot of influence.”
Parton, who is a beloved figure in country music and lifestyle spaces with her range of products, is seen as a trusted, authentic brand. Schofield pointed out that the team felt Meghan was trying to leverage Dolly’s fame for personal gain.
Maureen Callahan, who was also on the podcast, described Parton as “authentic,” suggesting that a collaboration between Parton and Markle would have been an uneasy mix of “good versus evil” due to the perception of Meghan as a “fake royal” in a “fake kitchen.”
Meghan’s lifestyle series, released on Netflix in March, received a second-season renewal despite backlash from some critics. Several notable celebrities, including Mindy Kaling and Abigail Spencer, have appeared on the show, with Spencer defending Meghan from her critics.
Meanwhile, Meghan has expanded her ventures, launching the As Ever lifestyle brand and the Confessions of a Female Founder podcast. In a recent podcast episode, Meghan admitted to feeling “incredibly lonely” in her entrepreneurial journey.
