Dolly Parton Delivers Show-Stopping Halftime Performance Dressed As Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader

Parton donated $1 million to the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign ahead of her performance.

By

Lauren Jo Black

| Posted on

November 24, 2023

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11:10 am

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Dolly Parton – Dallas Cowboys Halftime Show; Photo via YouTube, NFL

Dolly Parton, 77, set the internet ablaze with her halftime performance at the Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving Day game against the Washington Commanders. 

Sported A Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Uniform

The international icon turned heads in her own take on the iconic Dallas Cowboys cheerleader uniform, including a blue crop top, white vest adorned with blue stars, and white mini shorts with rhinestones. Her midsection appeared to be showing, however, a closer look at the outfit revealed a transparent body suit bedazzled with even more rhinestones. Her belly button was even covered with a star. 

For her performance, Parton took to the stage on the field at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas to perform several of her hits, including “Jolene, “9 To 5,” and her version of “We Are The Champions” from her recently released Rockstar album. 

Dolly Parton - Dallas Cowboys Halftime Show; Photo via YouTube, NFL
Dolly Parton – Dallas Cowboys Halftime Show; Photo via YouTube, NFL

She Stole The Show

In a time where the internet can feel so divided, Dolly Parton’s performance seemed to bring everyone together as comments seemed to be overwhelmingly positive. 

“Just a 77 year old woman performing at a football game… nothing unusual.  Dolly is truly American royalty,” one YouTuber user wrote, while another shared, “I mean who doesn’t love Dolly! She is fabulous. At 77 she can still belt out those high notes.. She ROCKS!”

Another user deemed the East Tennessee native “one of America’s all-time great performers.”

Dolly Parton - Dallas Cowboys Halftime Show; Photo via YouTube, NFL
Dolly Parton – Dallas Cowboys Halftime Show; Photo via YouTube, NFL

Kicked Off The Red Kettle Campaign

The Country Music Hall Of Famer’s appearance was in support of the Salvation Army’s 133rd annual Red Kettle Campaign, which officially kicked off with the halftime performance. The Thanksgiving Day halftime performance has been a tradition since 1997 when the Salvation fundraiser. Since then, they have raised more than $3 billion for the campaign, according to a news release. 

“I am just so excited to be performing live at AT&T Stadium today to celebrate the launch of the Red Kettle Campaign,” Parton shared ahead of the performance. “There are so many people who need our help this holiday season and I am honored to shine a light on all the wonderful services The Salvation Army provides to help our neighbors in need.”

Donates $1 Million

NBC News Dallas Fort Worth reported that along with her performance, the East Tennesee native generously donated $1 million to the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign, which helps to provide gifts to children who would otherwise go without during the holiday season. Additionally, the donations help the Salvation Army provide food, shelter and utility assistance to those in need. To learn more and to donate, visit the Salvation Army. 

Dolly Parton’s buzzed-about performance came on the heels of her Rockstar album, which was released on Friday, November 17. The project, which was inspired by her induction into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame, features 30 tracks, including nine originals and 21 covers of iconic rock songs. Special guests, including Miley Cyrus, Chris Stapleton, Elton John, Linda Perry, Sheryl Crow, Emmylou Harris, and more. 

Billboard reports that the project could debut as Parton’s first-ever No.1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. The publication revealed that she has appeared on the chart 49 times, dating back to 1969, but that she has yet to earn a No.1.

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Lauren Jo Black

Written by

Lauren Jo Black

Lauren Jo Black, a University of Central Florida graduate, has immersed herself in the world of country music for over 15 years. In 2008, she co-founded CountryMusicIsLove, eventually selling it to a major record label in 2015. Following the rebranding of the website to Sounds Like Nashville, Black served as Editor-in-Chief for two and a half years. Currently, she assumes the role of Editor-in-Chief at Country Now and oversees Country Now’s content and digital footprint. Her extensive experience also encompasses her previous role as a Country Music Expert Writer for Answers.com and her work being featured on Forbes.com. She’s been spotlighted among Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. Black also spent time in front of the camera as host of Country Now Live, which brought live music directly to fans in 2021 when the majority of concerts were halted due to the pandemic. During this time, she hosted 24 weeks of live concerts via Country Now Live on Twitch with special guests such as Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Jordan Davis, Brett Young, and Jon Pardi. Over the course of her career, she has had the privilege of conducting interviews with some of the industry’s most prominent stars, including Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, and many others. Lauren Jo Black is a longtime member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.