Dolly Parton requests that Tennessee refrain from putting her statue at Capitol

Dolly Parton has asked the state of Tennessee not to move forward with a bill that would result in a statue of her being placed at the Capitol in Nashville.

"Given all that is going on in the world, I don't think putting me on a pedestal is appropriate at this time," Parton said in a statement.

Democratic Rep. John Mark Windle proposed the bill in January in order to honor Parton "for all that she has contributed to this state."

Apart from her being a music icon, Parton has been a lifelong philanthropist, according to the Associated Press. She has previously made a million-dollar donation to Vanderbilt University to create the highly effective Moderna coronavirus vaccine. She also founded the Imagination Library, which mails books to young children across the world in the hopes of improving child literacy. Parton was recently celebrated in a Nashville mural for her advocacy for racial justice.

"At this point in history, is there a better example, not just in America but in the world, of a leader that is (a) kind, decent, passionate human being? (She's) a passionate person who loves everyone and everyone loves her," Windle said.

In her statement, Parton thanked lawmakers for their proposed idea for the statue and said she was honored and humbled.

"I hope, though, that somewhere down the road several years from now or perhaps after I'm gone if you still feel I deserve it, then I'm certain I will stand proud in our great State Capitol as a grateful Tennessean," she said despite asking lawmakers to withdraw the bill.