Hannah Montana’s Aunt Dolly is not a lesbian. Well, at least the country legend who plays her isn’t.

Dolly Parton knows that she’s been the target of gay rumors for years and years because of her close relationship with lifelong best friend Judy Ogle.
And once again, for the umpteenth time, she’s setting the record straight… “We’re absolutely totally honest, open and comfortable with each other,” Parton says in the new issue of AARP magazine. “We’ve been accused of being lovers. We do love each other, but we’ve never been like that.” (For the record, Parton has been married to her retired businessman husband, Carl Dean, for 43 years!)

As for her future with Hannah Montana, Parton recently revealed that, contrary to reports, she is not in the upcoming Hannah flick. She said that producers initially asked her if she’d be interested in revisiting Aunt Dolly for the big screen, but the character never made it into the script.

No matter. Parton still has plans to stay popular with the Miley Cyrus generations. She has a children’s book hitting stores in June and plans to put out a series of children’s CDs. Also on the drawing board: possibly hosting a children’s TV show a la Pee-wee’s Playhouse.

“In my older years, I’m going into that world of children,” she says. “That’s the way to keep yourself young. Be childlike, not childish.”

Country music singer Dolly Parton has lived up to her legendary status after her stage adaptation of hit movie 9 To 5 received rave reviews.

The show opened at Los Angeles’ Ahmanson Theatre on Saturday (20Sep08) and went without a hitch after a shaky preview the week before.

Parton was forced to take the stage during the earlier show, singing her classic track I Will Always Love You after a technical glitch caused the musical to grind to a halt.

But critics have praised the icon’s efforts, echoing the audience at the musical’s preview - who were wowed by her relentless attempt to save the show.

A critic from The Hollywood Reporter writes: “The film always was a musical waiting to happen, and Parton has made the most of the opportunity. Her songwriting skills along with her desire to dazzle in whatever she does were made for Broadway…

“Parton (and her collaborators) have done a sensational job.”

9 to 5: The Musical will follow on its run in L.A. at New York’s Marquis Theater next spring

Guests staying at a Blackpool B&B will soon be able to enjoy a fantastic performance of the musical based on the life of iconic country music star, Dolly Parton.

Dolly will be staged at the Opera House Theatre in the Winter Gardens on June 28th as a two hour show of music and dance.

Jeanne Jordan takes the lead role and guides the audience on a journey through Parton’s early career right up to her present worldwide fame.

Jordan has performed as Parton before in various country music shows but she will be joined by newcomer Emily Clarke who will portray the star in her younger years.

They will be backed up by the six-piece BJ Thomas band formed of some of the UK’s finest country musicians.

Visitors can expect to hear Parton’s hit songs, 9 to 5, Jolene, Islands in the Stream and Here you Come Again, in the performance.

This show will no doubt prove a real treat for both lovers of music and theatre staying at a Blackpool B&B.

Country singer Dolly Parton is known for her friendly attitude and down-home charm, but Howard Stern should expect to see a less affable side of the star.

Parton released a statement Wednesday expressing that she is “completely devastated” after hearing about a radio show aired by Stern in which he manipulated excerpts of her audio book so that they were taken out of context and made to seem offensive.

“I have never been so shocked, hurt and humiliated in all my life,” Parton said in her statement, reports AP. “In a blue million years, I would never have such vulgar things come out of my mouth.”

Known for his raunchy humor and wild on-air antics, Stern is no stranger to controversy. Manipulating celebrity voiceovers is a common game on his show, with a series of quotes by former Star Trek star George Takai (aka, Mr. Sulu), ranking as popular favorites on his radio show.

Parton has yet to take official legal action, but stated that if ever something deserved a lawsuit, this was it.