Dolly Parton’s death on Aug. 25 at 80 prompted Meg Stalter, the 36-year-old Hacks actress, to speak about what the singer meant to her as a gay Christian. Stalter described the loss as “literally devastating” and connected her grief to the welcome she’d felt from Parton as someone who loves Jesus, God and gay people.
She also drew a distinction between mourning someone she admired and the loss Parton’s relatives were living through. “Of course, obviously what we’re grieving doesn’t compare to what her family is, but it does feel like, to everyone, we lost a family member,” Stalter said.
When the conversation turned to possible dress-up tributes with her former costar Paul Downs, Stalter had a Parton-inspired idea, too. The pair had previously spoofed Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner’s Marty Supreme premiere looks. Next, she said she’d love for them to dress as “two Dolly Partons.”