Dolly Parton - Dolly Parton Tells It Straight: "America Has Lost Its Values"

Speaking at the Hollywood premiere of the movie on Monday (January 9, 2012), Dolly told Fox News, "The film is uplifting and I want people to go away feeling better than they did when they got here, because times are hard right now. Everybody's been feeling a little scared and a little down, and the economy has been bad and people don't know what to think". In a week that has seen Mitt Romney all but secure his place as Republican nominee for the 2012 Presidential election, country legend Parton spoke frankly about the current state of America, saying, "We just seem to have lost all our morals and principles and values these days.People are looking for something a little more stable; people are feeling like they need to get closer to God". Her new movie tells the story of the Divinity Church Choir's quest to raise the local community's spirits by entering the National 'Joyful Noise' competition, however, a dispute between the two leading singers threatens to destroy the choir's chances of winning. The movie has a clear religious message, something that Parton holds dear to her heart, saying, "I always ask God to work through me, and let me be a light of some kind and help in this world, so I always pray for that and I always want to do good.We're all just a bunch of sinners, but we do the best we can. He works through people in His own way, and I always ask him to let me be a blessing to people".

At the age of 65, Dolly Parton is the winner of eight Grammy Awards and has had 25 single or album releases certified Gold, Platinum or multi-Platinum. Her last movie-role came when she provided her voice for the animated hit Gnomeo & Juliet in 2011.