Rose Byrne about having sex with a Dolly Parton impersonator

BILLIONHere are just some of the certainties in this life: Death, taxes, and Dolly Parton have probably just done something inspiring, legendary, and iconic.

At the SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas, Dolly is having a moment. Of course she is. When does she not?

Not only is she scheduled to perform this weekend at the film festival, but she’ll also be the centerpiece of two of the event’s biggest films. Documentary Still working from 9 to 5, about the legacy and impact of the 1980 film, premiered, along with a new duet version of the theme song recorded with Kelly Clarkson. Movie Serious redabout a wayward Australian woman who “hits herself with a cup of ambition” and quit her job to become a full-time Dolly Parton tribute performer, also had its world premiere. gender.

Then there was the proverbial word on the street, which caused quite a stir as people buzzed at her humble, chic, very Dolly-like announcement that she wanted to withdraw her Hall of Fame nomination Rock and Roll because she doesn’t feel herself. worthy of it.

It would hardly be superfluous to celebrate any particular moment or occasion as a big moment for Dolly Parton.

“I know, they’re endless,” Rose Byrne laughed as she told The Daily Beast in Austin. Actress, who previously premiered movies Bridesmaids, spy and Neighbor at SXSW, co-stars in Serious red and act as its executive producer. “I would just say that every year she tops herself and becomes more iconic. Like, her post this morning about the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame… who is more classy than Dolly Parton? She’s just the most humble true artist out there. She never ceases to amaze me.”

Oh, and it’s not just the Hall of Fame thing. It was her stellar time hosting the Academy Country Music Awards last week. It was recently announced that Dollywood would start paying tuition for any employee who wants to go on to further study. The fact that she’s stocked up on a life-changing vaccine.

“Really, when things are polarizing these days, she’s still one of those things that people love and agree on,” Byrne said.

Serious red directed by Gracie Otto and written by Krew Boylan, Byrne’s longtime friend, who also stars. Boylan plays Raylene “Red” Delaney, a vivacious woman who struggles with the limitations of a traditional office job and the pressures her family puts on her to conform to society’s expectations. A night out as Dolly Parton started as a nightingale, until she found a community of tribute performers who inspired her to seriously invest in the endeavor. .

Step into the glamorous fantasy of boobs, fake nails, and mountain wigs — as Parton himself says, “If someone tells you your hair is too big, get rid of them; you don’t need that negativity in your life” – quickly taking on a deeper meaning and more consequential, as Dolly’s transmission career and her spirit also begin to fundamentally change Red .

Byrne worked with Boylan for almost eight years to create Serious redstarted with a road trip six months pregnant from Atlanta where she filmed Neighbor, to the Nashville office of Parton’s longtime manager Danny Nozell to receive the singer’s blessing — not to mention the copyright to her songs. (“I just fell in love with #SeriousRed!” Parton tweeted ahead of its SXSW launch. “The movie is a great tribute to being the best version of yourself.”)

In addition to executive producing, Byre is also involved in the film as a performer in tribute to Elvis Presley, where in addition to the actress donning a dapper outfit with bushy sideburns, she She even filmed a love scene with her good friend Boylan, dressed as Dolly. And if that weren’t enough, the sex scenes between Red-as-Dolly and a tribute performer Kenny Rogers (Daniel Webber) raise the surreal quotient. Then there’s Byrne’s own partner, Bobby Cannavale, who plays a Neil Diamond impersonator.

SXSW

The morning after all of that first hit the SXSW big screen, we spoke with Byrne about the film, the Elvis channel, and the glory of Dolly Parton. Because let’s face it, is there ever a bad time to sit and chat about Dolly?

I feel like when someone produces a movie about Dolly Parton, assuming they’re a huge fan, maybe even extreme. Is that the case?

Krew Boylan wrote the screenplay and was the star, and for her it was really a conversation about success and what it looks and feels like and how it can set you up for failure. and serve you — all the intricacies that come with that journey. And Dolly is a model for that. For me, yes, she has absolutely always been such an important figure. What I’ve always admired about her is how she changed the course for the female singer-songwriter. Back when she was just starting out, you first heard the stories told about the woman, not the man’s point of view in those stories. It is truly groundbreaking.

Yes, it’s a legacy.

I also love how smart she is. She is always ahead of the jokes about herself. She was the first to say it. That, for me, is great. She is also a comedian.

She might as well be one of the first big stars I remember hearing about their story. Her biography, raised in poverty in the Smoky Mountains, has always been part of her lore. It’s now all too common to know everything about every celebrity, but I feel like she was one of the first to go public about her past.

Yes. Because it’s such a story, isn’t it? I mean, what an incredible story and a true American story coming from the deep South and the poverty she grew up in, and getting to where she is. It’s also the love she has from her family, which she’s always talked about. Her story is part of all her images.

It’s also interesting because the image is such a big part of being Dolly, and it’s an over-exaggerated image. But her story and what we know about her is well-founded and human and believable. It’s an interesting contrast between the two.

That is. Her humble beginnings and self-expression. Again, there’s always a wink to the camera. And humility. All these years later, to write that post today [about the Hall of Fame]you go, wow, what an extraordinary example for everyone.

What do you think of the phenomenon of dedicated performers? That’s the whole cottage industry, it’s a strange and fandom entertainment.

It’s fascinating. For me, when we were filming those scenes at the coffee club, that was when the coin dropped. The commitment these tribute performers have to what they’re doing is incredibly real and well-founded. We all rose to this occasion. We realize that this is not a joke. This is a very, very serious thing for these artists to commit to performing as these celebrities. There was a small group of fans traveling the world to see these tribute performances. That is fascinating. How does someone get on that path?

That must be an interesting thing to think about as an actress. When an actor plays a real-life celebrity in a movie, that is respected and celebrated. But these impostors are often looked down upon or judged as silly.

I know. It is suggested that it is less committed, but it is not. It’s one’s whole life dedication to doing it and making a living from it. That’s why I loved that storyline with Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers. It was his commitment to commitment. I’m not saying it’s healthy, but it’s wild.

And now we have this surreal experience of watching Dolly Parton have sex scenes with Kenny Rogers. And with Elvis!

Very funny. I feel like she has a great sense of humor and a sense of irony about things — look, I obviously can’t speak for Dolly, but I hope she enjoys it.

How does it feel to be Elvis in a love scene with someone dressed as Dolly Parton?

I mean, we tried not to laugh a lot because obviously, you know, Krew is one of my oldest and closest friends. But we are happy to be there. Once I put on that wig and that outfit and found my voice and immersed myself in the footage and content, I couldn’t be happier.

SXSW

Having spent so much time in Dolly’s world and the message of this movie, do you find yourself changed by being a part of all of this?

I mean, sure. It’s been such a long road that all of us, I think, in some way haven’t even crossed it yet. We’ve been in it for too long, and on the other side of it, it’s the production side of it trying to get it done. But last night at the premiere, I actually had a moment where the movie landed and the credits came out and I felt what the movie was about, about identity and truth and admit it, especially for the character Red. I really felt that landing, and it was very special.

There’s a line in my favorite movie, “If you’re too busy being someone else, who’s busy being you?” You must have had a pleasant experience pretending to be someone else for a living.

I like that line. I think we all have to endure that as artists. There comes a time when you lose yourself or forget yourself. It’s always been about being in balance with everything in your life, being able to do that and handing over the keys when you’re performing and letting that out. Then there’s the side where you have to find the space inside of you, which is really who you are and who you really are. So I think what’s challenging about business is that balance, and why Dolly is such a compelling example of that. The way she talks about her looks is one thing. Her personality is different. And her success comes first. She is a shining example.

I feel like we – or at least I – have spent a lot of time over the past few years working through identity crises and really figuring out who we are under extreme circumstances. It’s exciting to watch this movie and see one person discover more about themselves by first posing as someone else.

I know. And that’s a very funny example of that. I think it’s the same with social networks, nowadays there are many handicraft industries to fake your real self. All that can drown out the noise of your own internal temperature. That’s why I enjoyed the movie so much. It goes to such extremes, and in terms of timbre it is very interesting. It starts out pretty broad and like a very upbeat comedy, then settles down and then actually gets much more murky and moving.

My final question: See Bobby Cannavale as Neil Diamond. On or off?

[Laughs] Oh, I mean, he’s hysterical in the movie. I’m just dying every time I see him. I was just laughing the whole time. He’s such a good sport.