Is Kid Rock canceled? Dolly Parton slams 'cancel culture', defends her song with controversial singer
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE: Singer Dolly Parton, in her latest interview with The Hollywood Reporter, has defended her duet with rapper Kid Rock, slamming the 'cancel culture'.
The 77-year-old singer and Kid Rock collaborated on the song 'Either Or' for Parton's upcoming album 'Rockstar'.
The 52-year-old rapper, whose original name is Robert James Ritchie, had been a part of many controversies due to his political views.
Dolly Parton not affected by Kid Rock's controversies
Parton and Kid Rock have polarizing ideologies, but that has not stopped her from collaborating with him, irrespective of his political stance.
Kid Rocks' latest controversy happened in August when he got angry over Bud Light teaming up with transgender TikTok influencer Dylan Mulvaney for its Bud Light Easy Carry Contest. He tried to destroy 12-packs of Bud Light with a semi-automatic rifle, shouting impolite words against the beverage company and the TikTok influencer. The sales of the beer company also plunged as conservatives got mad for teaming up with a transgender person.
She brought up her song with Kid Rock while speaking to the Hollywood Reporter. "Of course, I did [the song] before the controversy that he had, but somebody was talking to me the other day, 'How could you do this [song] with Kid?' I said, 'Hey, just because I love you don't mean I don't love Kid Rock. Just because I love Kid Rock doesn't mean I don't love you.' I don't condemn or criticize. I just accept and love."
She apparently recorded the song before the controversy; however, she pointed out that she would still have collaborated with Kid Rock even after the incident.
According to Parton, the rapper is a "gifted guy." She defended her singing partner, saying, "I don't criticize, nor I don't condone nor condemn. I just accept them."
Dolly Parton says cancel culture is 'terrible'
Parton shared a different view of the current phenomena that looks for political correctness. When asked about her thoughts on cancel culture, the singer explicitly stated her opinion.
"I think that's terrible," said Parton. According to her, everybody makes mistakes, and not everyone gets caught. "When somebody makes a mistake, it depends on who they are. That's what God is there for," said the singer.
She continued saying since she believes in God, she is "able to see it like that." Parton reiterated that "everybody deserves a second chance."
"You deserve to be innocent until you're proven guilty. Even when you're proven guilty, if God can forgive you, so can I. If God can forgive you, we all should forgive one another."
Her 49th solo studio album 'Rockstar' will be released on November 17.