A Dolly Parton superfan from Cardiff is setting up a shrine in her kitchen to honour the late country singer, saying she wants to 'see her every day' following her death. Loretta Davies, 49, learned of the singer's passing after being flooded with messages from concerned friends.
A lifelong fan inspired by Dolly's style
Davies, who was inspired by Dolly to dye her naturally red hair blonde, has vowed to hang a signed photo of the singer in her kitchen. The mum-of-two says she has been a huge fan since the age of 15 and always requests Dolly's hits be played in clubs on nights out, even dressing up as her for fancy dress contests.
The personal trainer flew to Hollywood in 2014 just to touch Dolly Parton's star on the Walk of Fame, admitting she 'didn't care about seeing anyone else's plaque'. She is now planning a pilgrimage to Dollywood to pay her respects.
'She was like a human Barbie doll'
Davies said: "My friends know me as a Dolly Parton superfan. I was also obsessed with Barbie dolls when I was younger and to me, she was like a human Barbie doll. She was beautiful. I didn't have the news on and then later on in the evening, I checked my phone and it was like my birthday, I had 10 messages all off different friends checking in on me."
She added: "You always thought she was immortal and she'd never pass away. I was really shocked and she still seemed young at 80. I'm going to get my original signed photograph of Dolly Parton and put it in a frame on my wall in my kitchen so she'll be next to us. This is so I can see her every day and pay my tribute and respect to her."
Plans to honour the 'Queen of Country'
Dolly, as famous for her glam style as her singing, was a big influence on Davies's fashion and beauty growing up. Davies said: "I started dyeing my hair when I was 22. I'm originally a red head and I went totally blonde inspired by Dolly. I have always been the one in the colourful clothes with flowers in my hair and the blue eyeshadow and pink lipstick, I've always had a Dolly vibe."
Recalling her Hollywood trip, she said: "Her star was the only one I was looking for. I didn't care about anyone else. I just imagined her standing there all those years ago and doing her speech."
Davies said: "What I would give to go over there [to Tennessee]. I will 100 per cent be doing a trip to Dollywood. I know for a fact that if I did go over there, I would need a lot of money because I would come back with a suitcase full of things."
She added: "She was so ambitious, and helped everyone and she was so positive. I know Tennessee is going to be mourning for a long, long time." To honour the 'Queen of Country', Davies plans to wear 'full-glam' and bright colours to watch Dolly's funeral. She said: "For someone that's been in the music industry for so many years, and see how strong she is, and to still be wearing heels at 80 years of age, you just don't think it's going to happen. I won't wear black on the day of her funeral, she probably wouldn't want that. I'll be in colour, maybe some full glam with some rhinestones."
