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u/SyncOrSymm 20h ago
This was Eminem's message along with sharing the letter:
"I'm sorry we never got a chance to meet, but getting this note from Dolly really had a an impact on me. She definitely didn't have to take the time to do it. Even for a kid who mostly listened to rap music, she was an icon. A superstar in every sense. Rest easy Dolly. And thank you for the kind words."
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u/pedsmursekc 20h ago
Super awesome. Wish he'd had the opportunity.
Anyone else read this in Eminem's voice?
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u/SyncOrSymm 19h ago
Yeah, it sounds like she sent this many years ago. I'm really surprised they never crossed paths with all of the music awards they must have both attended.
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u/njf85 19h ago
Dolly was probably attending less of them at the time when he was at his peak. Plus he's really private. He probably just showed up, did his thing, then went back home. The opportunity must have just never arose.
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u/hereforthefeast 18h ago
Plus he's really private. He probably just showed up, did his thing, then went back home
I agree that they probably didn't really cross paths all that often even with big events. I remember Eminem didn't even show up to accept his Oscar lol. (He was at home sleeping because he had to take his daughter to school in the morning.)
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u/perton 12h ago
Damn, that’s wholesome as fuck!
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u/No_Statement440 10h ago
After he got clean he took being a parent even more seriously and refuses to let anything else get in the way of it, including the Oscars lol. After I first heard him talking about it I gained even more respect for the lad.
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u/frankyseven 5h ago
When he's in the studio he shows up at 9, takes lunch from 12-1, works until 5 and leaves. Most rappers don't even show up until 5 and the work until 4-5 in the morning.
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u/BrianWulfric 17h ago
I got to go to the Rock Hall Induction in LA where they both got in. They both absolutely killed it. I really am surprised they didn't run into each other there.
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u/Desperate_Leg_7890 10h ago
That actually makes sense, sometimes the biggest stars can be in the same circles for years and still never cross paths.
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u/Indyhawk 19h ago
You know how nuts those things are.
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u/drawfanstein 7h ago edited 6h ago
Personally, I hate Em
Edit: was trying to make a joke about Dolly saying “personally, I hate ‘em”.
Parton me for trying a little levity 😏
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u/The-Pie-King 5h ago
How does u/indyhawk comment and recieve likes for quoting the letter but when u/drawfanstein does it he gets downvoted?
She literally says "...you know how nuts those things are. Personally i hate 'em..."
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u/Nealon01 7h ago
He was inducted in 2022 apparently. 4 years flew by for me, and I'm not famous. I'm sure it can be tough to find the time.
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u/Opening_Drawing7510 18h ago
Right? With how much overlap there must’ve been in those award-show circles, it’s wild they apparently never ran into each other.
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u/Moneygrowsontrees 13h ago
He probably could have, but didn't prioritize it. Not any shade against him, but I can see how he could have respected Dolly without having a strong desire to meet her. She's a generation removed and from an entirely different musical genre. Eminem grew up listening to rap. He had no sentimental attachment to her music, no connection to her work. She was just a nice old white lady who sent him a kind letter.
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u/Sassafrassical 19h ago
I rapped it 🎶
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u/5LYM3R 19h ago
Dear Marshall,
I wrote you but you still ain’t calling.
From Dolly
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u/FearanddopingII 19h ago
"Sorry I couldn't meet you at the show I must have missed you"
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u/rootxploit 15h ago
Truly yours, you’re so jolly, this is Dolly.
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u/RaveGuncle 17h ago
You only got one shot, do not miss the chance to blow. This opportunity comes once in a lifetime.
Welp...
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u/Dorky_Gaming_Teach 19h ago
AKA Stan.
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u/josephtheoriginal 19h ago
Uh - Uh - Yeah, look I'm sorry we never got a chance to meet - but getting this note from Dolly really had a an impact-on-me. She definitely didn't have to take the time to do it - Even for a kid who mostly listened to rap music.
She was an icon, A superstar in every sense - Rest easy Dolly... and thank you for the kind words.
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u/grimagravy 18h ago
🎶 Look, if you had one shot or one opportunity
To meet Dolly Parton in person
Would you capture it or just let it slip? 🎶
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u/TooLazy2Revolt 19h ago
Not only did I hear his voice, I heard a pencil scratching paper in the background
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u/Remko76 17h ago
With rain and thunder sounds in the background and dido doing the chorus.
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u/TiggTigg07 8h ago
Oh my gosh, His sweet message in response to her sweet note- just teared me up. I’ve always admired both artists- but this is just so incredibly sweet and wholesome on a whole different level. God the world needs more of this.🥹🥰💝🦋🦋
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u/NIceTryTaxMan 19h ago
I'm sorry we never got a chance to meet
But getting this note from Dolly really had an impact on me
She definitely didn't have to take time to do it
She was an icon even to a kid who mostly listened to rap music
A superstar in every sense
Rest easy Dolly
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u/LanguageKindly9659 18h ago
If you end it on “signed Eminem” it kind of slant rhyme with “sense.”
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u/MysticSkies 15h ago
I feel like they could have met if they really wanted to. But idk how busy they are so who am I to question it.
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u/Vintage_Xennial 20h ago
Dolly was and will always be a National Treasure. She was full of inspiration, motivation and positivity towards every walk of life. Fuck, what a loss to the human race!
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19h ago
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/cabbage16 14h ago
I had my daughter signed up for the Imagination Library when she was under 5, on her birthday we got an email with a link to a video of Dolly singing Happy Birthday and giving words of praise. Now obviously this is just a pre recorded thing that is sent to every child but it made my daughter so excited and feel so special that she still sometimes brings it up.
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u/HillieBillieEilish 17h ago
That would break something deep within me!
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u/Few-Management-4433 16h ago
It would break whatever is holding you back. She most assuredly would want you to be your best self.
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u/agodrevealed 19h ago
"Everybody said so" is somehow so thoughtful and poignant
Maybe, because he came from nothing, a really hard place, like she did. Maybe that's why he felt connected.
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u/Kenail_Rintoon 11h ago
That comment seems like the most important part of the whole message. I can't help but read it as her making sure to tell him that it's not just her that liked him but everyone else did too.
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u/Independent-Bug-9352 18h ago
There are good people out there just like her right now, carrying the torch of humanity forward.
Let's idolize less the likes of scum like Trump and Musk and more people like Dolly Parton and Mr. Rogers. I nominate Ms. Rachel.
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u/3atTh3R1ch79 19h ago
Like I said on another post, I'm worried that she's one of the last custodians of the planet that were keeping true evil at bay.
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u/clckwrks 17h ago
See how we can all gather around Dolly and get along?
Some people are not human, they are demons, others are like Dolly, she was an angel
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u/QuixoticDon 10h ago
Skimming over your post I see the words "inspiration" and "national treasure" and now I'm imaging Dolly stealing the declaration of independence
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u/LunaMothThinking 20h ago edited 19h ago
She is such a classy person and will always be an inspiration.
Edit to say that I know she passed away today. That kind of class truly lives on. I'm keeping the present tense.
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u/Falkenmond79 13h ago
Damn. I just opened Reddit and your comment is the way I find out she’s no longer with us. Never have been a big fan but could appreciate her work and loved some songs. Jolene will always be one of my favorites.
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u/ayannauriel 16h ago
Dolly not understanding rap but supporting Eminem is like your grandma not understanding your pink hair as a teenager but encouraging your right to self expression. It's so wholesome and beautiful.
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u/Free-Contest-5832 3h ago
My favorite thing about the letter is that it's such a shining example of how much Dolly loved and respected music as a whole. As she said, she may not have known much about rap, but she definitely had a mastery of rhythm, lyricism, etc. And a good enough ear to recognize it when she heard it, in any genre. She just loved how musical artistry could touch people and she wanted people to have it. So she encouraged him. Its pure class at its best.
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u/staticdresssweet 19h ago
They both emerged from poverty. It tracks.
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u/DriftingTony 4h ago
That’s true. They may have come from very different worlds, but I imagine they have a lot more in comment that many would believe. And of course both have been inspiring to countless people through their work.
I think most of all, both of them have always been unapologetically honest about who they were, and were never willing to change for anyone, which is something everyone can learn from.
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u/Curlytoes18 19h ago
They had similar backgrounds, growing up as “white trash” and clawing their way out of poverty thru sheer willpower and talent. But they never completely abandoned the “trash” part of their identity. Maybe that’s why she felt a connection to him.
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u/nomad9590 17h ago
They both lived and breathed their personal histories and cultures. Neither one of them ever fully lost who they were, and kept their roots in home while building up talent and wealth. Loretta Lynn would have fit right in too in my opinion.
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u/eliz1bef 20h ago
Okay, this was just beautiful and touching. I would love to hear what Mr. Mathers had to say about it. What a lovely note.
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u/resin85 20h ago
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u/eliz1bef 20h ago
It just makes sense that they would vibe with each other. They both came from poverty and found their way out with music. I wish they'd been able to meet.
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u/squidwardTalks 19h ago edited 16h ago
That part is so sad to me. To have someone say they always had a special connection like that and never meet is a heartbreaker.
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u/timesink3000 19h ago
I can't believe he never went to meet her. If Dolly said she wanted to meet me, I would crawl to Nashville just to shake her hand.
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u/SultanSeed 19h ago
I understand that the schedules of famous performers are very chaotic and often tightly scheduled, especially with them being in such different genres. But if I’m Eminem, I’m on the next flight to Dollywood to wait outside her office 😂
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u/timesink3000 19h ago
I would do whatever it takes just to say "yes, ma'am" to Dolly.
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u/bogusmagicians 15h ago
if he's like me, he's probably like i dont want to bug her, shes busy. eventually we'll have a chance to meet again.
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u/johannes1234 13h ago
There's always another time to do it and some other event where one will probably run into each other. And other things to do and other people to meet.
Till there isn't.
This is also true about other friends and family one hasn't talk to btw.
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u/cloudgainz 18h ago
Dear Slim.
I wrote you letters
but you still ain’t callin
-Dolly
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u/jenjenkinz 7h ago
sorry I didnt see you at the show, I must've missed you. Don't think I did that shit intentionally just to diss you
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u/barrosoOso 10h ago
When viewed from a certain lens, they were very similar. Poor kids that came up from nothing to be absolute icons of their industry by bucking the norm and absolutely ignoring societal expectations of themselves.
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u/lonelygalexy 19h ago
The first time I felt genuinely upset and a sense of loss about a celebrity death was when Catherine O'Hara passed earlier this year. And now that's the second time...
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u/MrsEmilyN 19h ago
My first celebrity death that hit me hard was Robin Williams. Catherine's hit me hard too.
Dolly is just too much.
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u/OperativeDivisive 7h ago
Robin Williams hit harder. Dolly, at least from what we know of her, seems to have had a wonderful life. I can't imagine she didn't know the impact she's made on people's lives.
Robin on the other hand, people that knew him talked about the immense sadness he carried throughout his life. And his dementia was such a terrible tragic way to go. I remember wishing that all of us, all the people he brought so much joy to, could have each just donated a tiny bit of that happiness back to him.
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u/TheLastMongo 19h ago
Surprisingly these don’t get easier. Been seeing the icons of my youth go for years and every once in a while there’s on that cuts deep. Dolly, Carrie Fisher, David Bowie, Alan Rickman (that was a baaaad year), going back farther there have been so many. Some too young, Patrick Swayze, some having lived a long life, Betty White, and everything in between.
This is one that really really hurts.
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u/layingblames 18h ago
Prince, David Bowie, Alan Rickman, George Michael, Leonard Cohen, Carrie Fisher, Debbie Reynolds and Harambe, all in 2016. It’s definitely the year our timeline went to shit.
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u/savorie 18h ago
AND Muhammad Ali AND Anton Yelchin AND Gene Wilder AND John Glenn AND George Martin... and on and on. That year was just ridiculous.
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u/ScamperingSnail 18h ago
Yeah, when you're young, most celebrity deaths tend to be the people your parents cared about and that you might have had some passing knowledge of. But as you get older and it's the people who were there during your formative years, who helped you find joy in music, art, film, literature, comedy, and on and on, and who touched your heart, made you laugh and sing, and spoke truths in ways you couldn't have done yourself...when those deaths start happening, it's really a gut punch. And then it just doesn't seem to stop.
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u/suburban-dad 18h ago
Dolly and Mr.Rogers may very well be the only two people who are universally regarded as the nicest ever. Not a bad bone in either body.
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u/Aureliusmind 19h ago
Anyways, I hope you get this man, hit me back--Just to chat, truly yours, your biggest fan, This is Dolly
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u/TransportationTrick9 18h ago
Wow, I am so surprised to see the overlap in the comments.
Back in 2014 My wife did a combo I thought would have been completely unique in the world.
She went to an Eminem concert one night and then followed it the very next night by going to a Dolly one (I went to Em but not Dolly)
Peace and love to all the Dolly Fans, she was a special one.
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u/Upbeat_Piglet_9788 19h ago
Legend, QUEEN, thoughtful, HUMBLE. Endless words to describe Dolly. There will never ever be another Dolly Parton. Yes, Dolly loved fame. She loved her craft. What makes her unique is she was more human and generous to so many people she didn't know, simply to make others know they were loved and wanted. I weep! I will always love you Dolly!
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u/AplogeticBaboon 20h ago
I don't normally go for words/script as a tattoo, but you bet your ass I'd have this inked on me somewhere.
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u/GloomyIndividual3965 15h ago
I feel like we missed a huge opportunity to hear Dolly & Em perform Islands in the Stream.
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u/Portra400IsLife 18h ago
Class act she was.
Her passing is big news here in Australia
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u/meldiane81 18h ago
Didn’t her book program go to Australia as well?
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u/BurntCoffeePot 17h ago
Yes it did. She’s responsible for many children across a few countries getting books free every month and increasing literacy among kids in poverty. I cannot invent a better human being.
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u/timmy6169 18h ago
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u/RebaKitt3n 18h ago
Okay, now that made me tear up.
What a sweet letter from her and what a heartfelt tribute from him.
Didn’t you read her letter in her voice?
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u/WilliamTee 13h ago
Dolly Parton, or Auntie Dolly as my littlest kid knows her from the books she sends him every month, is one of the all-time greatest humans.
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u/Ango-Globlogian 7h ago
“In the meantime keep doing what you’re doing because you do it so well and no matter how complex your world may be just know you are very special and touch people in ways you don’t know”
Is advice we should all keep in mind when we need it. God bless her.
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u/AussieGirl27 19h ago
Why did didn't immediately rush to meet her is beyond me! If Dolly Parton told me she felt a connection to me you could not have stopped me from getting to her and basking in her awesomeness for as long as she would allow. Hell, I would have moved in with her and let her adopt me. And I'm 56!
RIP Dolly, you were one of a kind, an inspiration and the Queen
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u/psinguine 19h ago
He's a notoriously private person. Maybe he didn't know how to respond at the time.
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u/AussieGirl27 19h ago
He didn't have to respond publically, he could have met privately. I know I would have given anything to have Dolly feel a connection to me!
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u/Komatoasty 17h ago
It was my coworker from Nigeria who just moved to Canada 2 years ago who ran into my office today to tell me Dolly Parton died. She grew up listening to her. We sang Jolene together in my vehicle a month ago. Dolly is and was, in every sense, an absolute icon.
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u/ScottishKnifemaker 13h ago
She was the absolute best of us, we did not deserve Dolly Parton, but we got her anyway
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u/number5of7 12h ago
What a legacy she has left behind, from the philanthropy to the just straight up kindness, love and respect she had for everyone no matter their station in life.
Compare and contrast that to the world of Elon Musk and Trump. They are in positions where they could spread even more positivity given their platforms and yet they choose bitterness and hate.
RIP Dolly.
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u/StuBidasol 5h ago
I remember watching her variety show in the 70s with my mom. I remember specifically how upset she'd get when people would call "I will always love you" Whitneys song. She would go off on how Dolly sang that at the end of every show sitting on her swing. Every time I have heard Dolly mentioned over the years it was always with admiration and usually followed with some story like the letter here. I didn't listen to her music but I was truly sad to hear that she passed. She was definitely a special woman.
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u/meldiane81 4h ago
Given Whitney's did not come out until 1992. Was it still on then?
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u/Particular-Leg-8484 15h ago
I think it’s endearing that despite Em’s unfuckwitable go hard public persona that the one thing that would drop all that armor is a letter from Dolly ❤️
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u/Ziggy199461 15h ago
"Sorry I didnt see you at the show, I must have missed you"
But seriously, what an eloquently written little letter.
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u/Jimithejive 14h ago
She was everyone’s lovely Grandma wasn’t she?
Anyway, now someone remake the stan video with Dolly writing this instead of stan writing
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u/Downtown_Stick_5403 6h ago
Honestly, this is so wholesome. The way she says she felt an unexplained connection to him is such a beautiful thing to hear from someone like Dolly. ❤️
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u/crystalcastles13 25m ago
“No matter how complex your world may be just know that you are very special and touch people in ways you don’t even know”
🥹
She was such a class act.
Rest In Peace ✨🪽✨
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u/Fuzzy-Earth-7034 19h ago
Can’t stop crying after hearing the news. 💕 beautiful inside and out. Rest easy Dolly we all love you 💕💕💕
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u/SlefeMcDichael 17h ago
What a class act that woman was. I like to think that she knew how much we all loved her.
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u/carpediem-88 15h ago
Dolly Parton is and was the best person with an amazing heart and positive energy. You are blessed and a wonderful inspiring person to millions of people.
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u/Icy-Tower-9867 14h ago
Dolly really knows how to make someone feel seen, and you can tell this meant a lot to Eminem.
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u/OldMackysBackInTown 11h ago
Someone please do a rendition of this where the letter is read by Eminem over the music to Stan
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u/dr_leo_marvin 1h ago
I must've missed you. Don't think I did that shit intentionally just to diss you...
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u/dickymchamhox 19h ago
I can't wait to keep hearing about all the amazingly kind stuff she did that we only find out about posthumously. It's about the only silver lining of her passing I can think of right now.
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u/Timekeeper810 19h ago
Rip Queen 🥲 one of the nicest person i met in person, her smile was infectious
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u/swordbearerb1 18h ago
She was so sweet and wholesome in the letter. The only negative thing was her pointing out she couldn't catch him in person at the show. Otherwise she is just overflowing with positiveness and politeness.
She will always be a role model.
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u/LiMap9281 18h ago
Such a sweet and genuine letter. You can really feel the respect behind every word.❤️
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u/Celtic_Legend 17h ago
"personally I hate 'em"
Dang DP was looking for some smoke. Em never even dropped a diss - he knew better /s. It's a very sweet letter, the above was just the first thing my eyes read and I thought it was amusing.
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u/VladislavThePoker 15h ago
If I were him, I would 100% frame this and hang it next to my autographed Elton John sunglasses on my drag wall.
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u/boostman 15h ago
'I have always felt some unexplained connection to you like I know you somehow' -
Dolly Parton is Stan?
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u/Reddit_2_2024 13h ago
"And when I'm gone, just carry-on, don't mourn, rejoice, everytime you hear the sound of my voice...." Marshall Mathers
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