Anna Wintour reportedly rejected Dolly Parton for Vogue covers

Reports suggest that former Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour rejected pitches to feature Dolly Parton on the cover of American Vogue at least four times. According to claims made via Rob Shuter’s Substack, Wintour allegedly viewed Parton’s signature aesthetic as “too country, too camp and too tacky” for the magazine.

Insiders claim that while the public viewed Parton as an icon, Wintour focused on her use of rhinestones and extravagant glamour rather than her cultural significance. The reports suggest this gatekeeping extended to other celebrities, noting that Wintour reportedly found the styles of Jessica Simpson, Alicia Keys, and Jennifer Lopez difficult to approve during her tenure.

Despite the reported cover snubs, the fashion industry has historically celebrated Parton’s “country-glamour” aesthetic, and Vogue published a major profile on her in 1994.