Tag: entertainment news

Dolly Parton, Country Music Icon, Dies at 80

Culture News, Entertainment, Heritage-History

NASHVILLE, Tenn. —Dolly Parton, the singer, songwriter and actress who rose from poverty in the Great Smoky Mountains to become one of the most beloved figures in American music, died Tuesday. She was 80.

Parton’s nephew, Brian Seaver, announced her death in a video posted to her Instagram account. He did not disclose a cause of death. Seaver, who has served as her head of security, said the announcement was something Parton had asked him to prepare years in advance.

Parton had spoken publicly in recent months about ongoing health issues. In September 2025, she wrote on Instagram that she was facing health challenges requiring “a few procedures” without elaborating. At Dollywood’s seasonal opening this year, she said she was continuing to recover from “a few little health issues,” including dizziness and dehydration. She had also been open about grieving the March 2025 death of her husband of nearly 60 years, Carl Dean. Ten days before her death, she canceled a scheduled Dollywood appearance on her doctor’s advice.

Born Jan. 19, 1946, in Locust Ridge, Tennessee, Parton was the fourth of 12 children in a family she often described as “dirt poor.” She began singing in church and made her first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry at 13. The day after graduating high school in 1964, she moved to Nashville, where she built a career as a songwriter before emerging as a solo star. She wrote “I Will Always Love You” in 1974 after leaving “The Porter Wagoner Show.”

Over her career, Parton was nominated for 55 Grammy Awards and won 10. Beyond music, she was known for founding the Dollywood theme park and for her Imagination Library, a literacy program that has distributed millions of free books to children worldwide.

News of her death drew tributes from fans and public officials across the political spectrum, with many crediting her music and philanthropy for shaping generations of Americans.

This story is developing. Sources: CNN, NBC News, ABC News, CBC News.

Ta’Rhonda Jones explores identity and transformation in the upcoming project “Breaking Character.”

Businessology, Community, Culture News, Economics, Entertainment, Hip Hop, Culture, and Political Tricks, Lifestyle, Market Watch, What's Good?

CHICAGO — Actress and recording artist Ta’Rhonda Jones is expanding her creative work into music with Breaking Character, a project centered on identity, perception and personal transformation.

The project includes tracks such as “Favor on My Soul” and “Villain,” which explore contrasting emotional perspectives, one rooted in alignment and affirmation, the other in perception and misunderstanding.

“Breaking character is really about stepping outside of what people expect from you,” Jones said. “It’s personal.”

Jones, known for her role as Porsha Taylor on the television series Empire, is using music to expand her storytelling beyond the screen.

“I choose to be present. I choose to be 100% me,” she said. “No more performing. No more people pleasing. I’m no longer who society wants me to be.”

The duality presented in “Favor on My Soul” and “Villain” reflects a broader theme of balance within the project.

“I wanted to show that balance is necessary,” Jones said. “I can be both soft and firm. Soft says I understand you, and firm says I still choose what’s best for me.”

Production for “Favor on My Soul” is underway, with visuals emphasizing tone, reflection and transformation. The project’s visual direction aligns with its themes, focusing on mood-driven storytelling and emotional depth.

“There are moments where you’re misunderstood for growing,” Jones said. “That’s where ‘Villain’ comes from.”

Jones also described the creative process as liberating, noting that each phase of development has expanded her perspective.

“Every time I create, I discover new freedom,” she said. “It feels like a phoenix rising, like I’ve unlocked a new level of consciousness.”

A release date for Breaking Character has been confirmed for June 6. The project marks Jones’ continued expansion into music and visual storytelling, positioning it as a personal and creative evolution.

Follow her on IG!
Ta’Rhonda Jones | IMDb
Ta’Rhonda at 48th NAACP Image Awards Red Carpet
Ta’Rhonda at the 2016 Essence Festival Presented by Coca-Cola
Ta’Rhonda at The 47th NAACP Image Awards Presented by TV One, Red Carpet
Ta’Rhonda | The Broad Host West Coast Debut of “Soul of a Nation”

a’honda Jones

-Ta’Rhonda Jones