NASHVILLE, TN — She’s dazzled us for decades with  rhinestones, wit, and a voice that can break your heart in a single note — but now, country music icon Dolly Parton is inviting the world to see beyond the sparkle.

Online movie streaming services

 Netflix has just dropped the official trailer for “Beyond the  Rhinestones,” a powerful new documentary chronicling the private life of one of America’s most beloved performers. Set to premiere next month, the film promises an unfiltered look at the pain, perseverance, and profound humanity behind the legend in wigs and sequins.

“I’ve hidden pain behind glitter,” Dolly says in the trailer’s opening line. “It’s time to share the truth.”

A Legacy Reconsidered

At 78, Dolly Parton is a global icon. With more than 100 million albums sold, countless awards, a theme park, philanthropic initiatives, and even a starring role in vaccine development, she has transcended country music to become a cultural force.

Online movie streaming services

But behind the rhinestone gowns and quick wit lies a story few have heard in full. “Beyond the Rhinestones” dives deep into the moments that shaped her: the poverty of her Appalachian upbringing, the pressure of being a female artist in a male-dominated industry, and the emotional toll of living life under a spotlight that rarely dims.

The film features rare archival footage, never-before-seen home videos, and exclusive interviews with those closest to her — including longtime bandmates, family members, and fellow musicians like Willie Nelson, Reba McEntire, and Emmylou Harris.

Online movie streaming services

From a Cabin in Tennessee to the World Stage

The documentary begins where it all started: in a tiny cabin in the Smoky Mountains, where Dolly was born the fourth of twelve children. With no electricity, running water, or money, her childhood was defined by hardship — but also music, family, and a fierce sense of identity.

Online movie streaming services

“Momma sang while hanging laundry. Daddy worked sunup to sundown. But somehow, I always knew I was meant to sing beyond those hills,” Dolly recalls in the film.

Director Samantha Lee, best known for her intimate storytelling in Songs of the South, captures this early life with quiet reverence. A blend of still photographs, grainy home footage, and Dolly’s narration offers a poignant contrast to the glitz she later embraced.

Heartbreak Behind the Curtain

While Dolly’s public persona has long been defined by joy and humor, “Beyond the Rhinestones” doesn’t shy away from the darker chapters. The film addresses her tumultuous professional split from mentor Porter Wagoner, the tabloid rumors that chased her for decades, and her private health battles — including one that nearly ended her career in the early 1990s.

One of the film’s most emotional moments comes during a conversation with Dolly about fame and loneliness:

“There were times I’d walk off stage and cry in my dressing room for an hour,” she admits. “People thought I had everything. But sometimes, I felt like I had no one.”

Yet throughout the film, what emerges most clearly is Dolly’s resilience. Her ability to write and sing her way through sorrow has not only built her career but also helped millions navigate their own.

More Than a Musician

The documentary also pays tribute to Dolly’s humanitarian efforts, from her Imagination Library, which has distributed over 200 million books to children, to her quiet donations to disaster relief, COVID-19 research, and education.

“She didn’t just sing about kindness,” says one commentator in the film. “She built a life around it.”

There are also lighthearted moments, such as Dolly’s candid takes on plastic surgery, aging, and stardom:

“Honey, I may have made a few ‘adjustments’ here and there,” she says with a wink. “But my heart’s been in the same place the whole time.”

A Must-Watch for Fans and First-Timers Alike

Whether you’ve followed her career since Jolene or are just discovering her through 9 to 5 reruns, “Beyond the Rhinestones” offers something rare: an intimate, honest portrait of a woman who redefined what it means to be a star.

In a world often hungry for scandal or spectacle, the documentary instead offers something deeper — vulnerability, truth, and legacy.

It ends with Dolly sitting on her front porch,  guitar in hand, as she softly sings a new song written just for the film:

“You can dress it all up in  rhinestones and gold,
But the heart underneath still gets heavy and old…”

Coming Soon

“Beyond the Rhinestones” premieres [insert date] exclusively on  Netflix. A companion soundtrack and limited-edition memoir are rumored to follow its release.