'She Took a Risk': Brandi Carlile Reveals How Dolly Parton Defied Nashville to Stand by Her

In the world of pop culture, very few icons command universal love like Dolly Parton. But a powerful new interview from singer Brandi Carlile is shedding light on just how much Dolly risked to support marginalized artists behind the scenes. Carlile revealed that early in her career, when mainstream country executives were hesitant about gay musicians, Dolly stepped up without hesitation to accept her publicly.

That radical inclusion is just one part of Parton's incredible legacy. From sending over 200 million free books to children through her Imagination Library to financing early research for the COVID-19 vaccine, Dolly continuously proves she is in a league of her own. One music commentator noted that Dolly's courage opened doors that Nashville had kept locked for decades, while another fan simply declared her the undisputed saint of American music.

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Across the Atlantic, another major story is tearing up the news cycle. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have landed in London, marking six years since their explosive exit from royal life in 2020. The couple's return has immediately rekindled heated media debate. British tabloids are in an absolute frenzy, with critics arguing their visit creates unwanted friction for the royal family while loyal fans celebrate their return to UK soil.

Meanwhile, late-night television got a shock of pure adrenaline when country-hip-hop star Jelly Roll guest-hosted Jimmy Kimmel Live! The singer did not pull any punches during his opening monologue, taking sharp comedic jabs at figures like Donald Trump while joking about his own wild journey from prison to pop stardom. Online audiences praised his raw charisma, calling it one of the most refreshing late-night episodes of the year.

Rounding out today's headlines, HBO dropped a dramatic, opera-infused teaser for Season 4 of The Gilded Age, while legendary director Ridley Scott saw his latest post-apocalyptic thriller, The Dog Stars, land its first critical review scores.

The hosts spill all the tea, take clear sides, and break down these massive stories on today's episode of the podcast!