Dolly Parton doesn’t consider herself famous, saying, “I think I’m a star to everybody but me.”

In a recent interview with Southern Living, the country music icon reflects on her fame.

Dolly Parton remains amazed by her own fame. In a new interview with Southern Living for their January/February cover, published on January 8, the 78-year-old “9 to 5” singer reflects on her journey to stardom.

“I think I’m a star to everybody but me,” Parton shared. “I always wanted to be famous, but nobody could have predicted the extent it would reach. I’ll see a whole wall of my pictures somewhere and think, ‘How did that happen?’ It’s more of a joy than a surprise.”

Dolly Parton’s career took off in 1967 when she joined The Porter Wagoner Show, replacing Wagoner’s partner, Norma Jean, and quickly won over audiences. She soon surpassed the show’s host in popularity.

Since then, Parton has become a successful singer-songwriter, actress, and businesswoman. She has received two Academy Award nominations, won 10 Grammy Awards from 55 nominations, and even created her own theme park, Dollywood.

Her fame has only grown over time, with the search now underway for an actress to portray her in Dolly: An Original Musical, a Broadway show based on her remarkable career.

In her Southern Living interview, the Steel Magnolias actress also shared the joy she finds in songwriting. “I walk around with a song in my head and in my heart,” she explained.

Sometimes, she gets so immersed in the process that she forgets what she was doing. “I’ll go into a closet and wonder, ‘Now, what in the hell did I come in here for?’” Parton said. “There’s nothing that makes me happier than writing a song.”

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