Dolly Parton reminded fans that age is just a number after showing off the halftime show in an iconic Dallas Cowboys cheerleader outfit.
The 77-year-old country music legend performed at Thursday’s NFL game between the Washington Commanders and the host Dallas Cowboys. For the Thanksgiving competition, Barton took to the field to sing “Jolene,” “9 to 5” and Queen’s “We Are the Champions.”
While Barton put on a dazzling performance, her Dallas Cowboys cheerleader outfit caught everyone’s attention. The singer wore a modified version of the classic cheerleader outfit at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Her look included the team’s signature blue crop top, a white star studded vest and matching white mini shorts. Underneath the crop top and shorts, Barton wore a slinky, bedside catsuit.
Following her halftime show performance, fans immediately took to social media to share their thoughts on Parton’s most memorable fashion moment.
“If there’s one thing we can count on in this world, it’s that Dolly is going to give an iconic look and performance until the moment she ascends to heaven,” one fan wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“You know who is a national treasure? #Tollybarton. “Who is that?” said another fan.
However, it didn’t take long Some online trolls to criticize Her Dallas Cowboys cheerleader outfit, as one user pointed out: “Dolly is 77 years old and some people are shaming her for not acting like an old lady.”
In response, many people applauded Barton — just the way she wanted to — regardless of her age.
“Dolly Parton is 77 and wears what she wants. I love her,” one fan said.
“Tally Barton looks better at 77 than I have in my entire life,” wrote another.
Some fans noted how CBS commentator and former Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo Barton seemed ecstatic about her performance After the halftime show. “She’s amazing,” Romo said during the NFL broadcast. “She’s amazing. Who doesn’t like Dolly Parton?”
Throughout her career, the country music icon has been known to sport some unforgettable fashion looks — from her signature rhinestone jackets to her voluminous, blonde dresses. In fact, Barton recently revealed that she was asked to “tone down” her style early in her career.
During the four-part series What will Dolly do? Radio On Apple Music and Apple Podcasts, she revealed that her “dear friend” and fellow musician Seth Atkins once suggested she soften her look. “Dally, I don’t believe people are going to take you seriously as a singer and songwriter until you tone it down,” she said, as Barton hosted Kelly Pannen. “I said, ‘Okay, okay. I’ll keep that in mind, Mr. Atkins. Thank you for your advice.’ Of course, I made it worse.
“Years later, after I became a star, he sat down next to me and said, ‘Now aren’t you glad you took my good advice?’ He continued. Asked by Pannen what she would say if someone told her to change her look today, Barton aptly replied: “I’d say, ‘Go to hell.’ I’m not doing that.”
The “I Will Always Love You” singer revealed that one’s personal style should be “what makes you happy.”
“My true belief about most things is that you really have to find who you are, what makes you happy, what you’re comfortable with, and if you feel like you’re best by your rules, then you’re going to do the best you can,” Barton said. “I really believe that. I think everyone has little things they like. To me, that’s what fashion is all about.
