Martha Stewart Defends Dolly Parton's Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Outfit

July 2024 · 3 minute read

Dolly Parton made headlines on Thanksgiving Day when she performed in a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader uniform at The Salvation Army's Red Kettle Kickoff Halftime Show.

Some critics on X (formerly known as Twitter) took issue with Parton's outfit, which featured white shorts and a long-sleeved blue crop top that Parton, 77, paired with a sparkling sheer bodysuit that covered her midriff and legs.

But Martha Stewart — who recently sat down with Business Insider to discuss her new "Dunkintini" recipe with Dunkin', a holiday-themed coffee cocktail — has come to Parton's defense.

Parton performs during halftime in the game between the Washington Commanders and the Dallas Cowboys on November 23, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images

"She looks great!" Stewart said. "I looked at a picture and I thought, 'God, she's fantastic.'"

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"If you look like Dolly Parton, you can dress any way you goddamn please, she's fabulous," she added.

Stewart, 82, previously told BI that she doesn't believe women need to change the way they dress because of their age.

"If it looks good, wear it," she said. "I loved my little silver coatdress the other day, and I have nice legs so I can show those off. I wear clothes appropriate for the occasion, hopefully, and clothes that I look good in."

Stewart doesn't believe that women need to dress a certain way because of their age. Lexie Moreland/Getty Images

Stewart isn't the only celebrity in Parton's corner. Whoopi Goldberg also defended Parton's outfit during Monday's episode of "The View."

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"Dolly Parton stole the show on Thanksgiving at the Cowboys/Commanders game dressed as a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader, but some critics told her to act her age. Bite me," Goldberg said.

INTERNET TROLLS COME FOR DOLLY PARTON AND BLUE IVY: After some commenters criticized Parton for performing in a cheerleader uniform and Beyonce's daughter Blue Ivy said criticism of her performance on her mom's tour made her work harder, #TheView co-hosts react. pic.twitter.com/KFEVgvxs1z

— The View (@TheView) November 27, 2023

"If I looked like that in one of them Cowboy things, I might have everything out," added cohost Sunny Hostin.

Stella Parton also defended the singer on X, writing that she thought her older sister "was cute as hell in her Dallas Cowboys cheerleading costume."

I personally thought my big sister Dolly was cute as hell in her Dallas Cowboys cheerleading costume at the half time show on Thanksgiving. To those of you being so critical of a 77 year old kicking up her heels, I say fuck yourself. Shame on you not her.

— Stella Parton (@StellaParton) November 26, 2023

Parton hasn't commented on the recent criticism, but the fashion icon previously told BI that she doesn't worry about aging.

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"Of course, everyone would like to stay 35 forever, and in my mind I kind of do," Parton said with a laugh. "But I can't get caught in that trap of thinking, 'I've got to do this or that.' The way I live, the way I work, the way I feel, I'm going to make every moment count. I may live to be 100 or I may die tomorrow, but whenever that is, I will know I died trying, and I will know I've done everything I could to make the most of everything."

"As long as I stay healthy, the numbers shouldn't matter," she added. "I don't feel my age, I don't work my age, I don't think my age, and hopefully, I don't look my age!"

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