Beyoncé's Nod to Dolly Parton As She Hints at Country Album

She may be best-known as an R&B and pop artist, but Beyoncé may be trying her hand at a new genre.

Fans have been speculating that the singer is dropping a country album, with Queen Bey announcing new music during Super Bowl LVIII on Sunday.

Beyoncé used a country music-themed Verizon commercial to notify fans, with the release date set for March 29.

Main: Beyoncé, 2023. Inset: Dolly Parton, 1981
Main: Beyoncé on June 27, 2023 in Warsaw, Poland. (Inset) Dolly Parton circa 1981 in New York City. Rumors are swirling that the R&B star is to drop a country music album. Kevin Mazur/Robin Platzer/Image Press/WireImage/Archive Photos

However, the 42-year-old's Super Bowl outfit has added more fire to the rumors, with fans convinced her attire is a nod to Dolly Parton.

With sky-high blonde hair, a low-cut top and a bolo tie, the Grammy winner appeared to be channeling Parton's signature look.

"So if Beyoncé is dropping a country album, do you think there's a collab with Dolly Parton?" asked @JaiTheLioness on X, formerly Twitter.

"This hair is so DOLLY PARTON coded," said Oniii.

"She knew what she was doing. I see the vision," wrote Bebe.

"T****** out, big blonde hair. Studied at the little ***** house of Dolly Parton and I'm so here for it," said Kayla Marie.

"Beyoncé looks like a beautiful oil-rich, third-wife hussy in that Dolly Parton coded hair," commented @MissSassbox. "Baby, I am READY FOR THIS ERA."

Newsweek has reached out to Beyoncé and Parton for comment via email.

In the Verizon ad, Beyoncé rides a taxi into Texas. The radio is set to a country music station, with the Grammy winner singing: "This ain't Texas, ain't no hold 'em/So lay your cards down, down, down, down."

The commercial also shows men staring up at a billboard of Beyoncé, which features an image of the star lounging in a cowboy hat and underwear.

Following the ad, Beyoncé released two tracks to streaming platform Tidal titled "Texas Hold 'Em" and "16 Carriages."

Beyoncé also rocked a white cow boy hat to the Grammy awards on Sunday, along with a rodeo-inspired Louis Vuitton suit.

Parton has also previously said she would love Beyoncé to cover her 1973 song "Jolene." During a 2022 appearance on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, Parton described the former Destiny's Child star as "fantastic and beautiful," explaining that she "loves" her music.

"I would just love to hear 'Jolene' done in just a big way, kind of like how Whitney [Houston] did my 'I Will Always Love You,' just someone that can take my little songs and make them like powerhouses," the 78-year-old said.

"That would be a marvelous day in my life if she ever does do 'Jolene.'"

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Sophie is a Newsweek Pop Culture and Entertainment Reporter based in Lincoln, UK. Her focus is reporting on film and ... Read more

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