Music fans at the Rock en Seine festival outside Paris paid tribute to Dolly Parton on Wednesday following the announcement of the country star's death.
Christine, a music fan wearing tinted glasses at the festival, said she was devastated by the news because Parton was an icon. Behind her dark lenses, her eyes shone with sadness and nostalgia as she recalled how radiant Parton was and noted that the singer had famously met her husband outside a laundromat.
At the festival, attendees across generations gathered to honor the extraordinary life of the artist. Anne-Laure, another music fan present, said she felt very sad upon hearing of Parton's passing, remembering her as a person who performed good deeds, possessed a soothing voice, and brought a calming presence to her listeners.
Rock en Seine is an annual three-day music festival held at the Domaine de Saint-Cloud, located just west of Paris. Parton, an American country singer, songwriter, and philanthropist born in Tennessee, achieved global fame over a career spanning six decades, earning worldwide acclaim for hit songs such as Jolene and 9 to 5.
Philanthropy and political reactions
Parton's charitable work made a lasting impression on festivalgoers, particularly her advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community and her establishment of a global program providing free books to children from birth until age five. Gabrielle, a young festivalgoer, said she learned about Parton distributing books to children, describing her as someone who could have become a billionaire but chose to redistribute her money instead.
While U.S. President Donald Trump paid tribute to Parton's life, fans at the festival rolled their eyes when asked about his statement. Austin scoffed that Parton showed people how to live their lives without apologizing, adding that it was difficult to accept her passing while Trump remained alive.
Carrying the torch for pop culture
Pop culture lovers like Gabrielle expressed deep concern about an America without the star's famous blonde hair. Gabrielle said she hoped other artists would take up Parton's legacy and carry the torch, noting that Parton strongly opposed Trump's political agenda and expressing hope that performers would stay motivated to support the causes she held dear.
As news of her death circulated, many fans on the outskirts of Paris had her hit song Jolene in mind. Attendees expressed hope that the numerous singers and musicians performing at the festival would pay tribute to her memory on stage.
