Reba McEntire Boldly Reacts to Joy Behar’s Controversial Opinion of Dolly Parton Classic

When Reba McEntire was asked about a controversial take on Dolly Parton’s song “Jolene,” the country star’s reaction seemed pretty clear—even though she didn’t technically address the question.

Reba McEntire at the "America's Got Talent" Red Carpet at the Hotel Dena on September 20, 2023 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images)

The query came up amid an ongoing discussion within popular culture about Beyoncé’s new album, Cowboy Carter, on which the megastar covered Parton’s 1973 classic. Many celebrities have shared their thoughts on Beyoncé’s first country album since its release on March 29.

Joy Behar joined those who have weighed in on the new album this week. The View co-host shared her thoughts on the “Jolene” cover in particular during a Wednesday, April 3 episode of the daytime talk show’s Behind the Table podcast series.

While Behar, 81, said she enjoyed Beyoncé’s version, she offered a controversial opinion on Parton’s original.

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“I like the subject, Beyoncé taking over the lyrics,” Behar said. “The original thing with Dolly Parton—I mean, it’s so, like, anti-feminist, worrying about some good-looking woman taking your man.” Even so, Behar went on to identify the “9 to 5” singer as a feminist, and even took credit for being the person who once convinced Parton to acknowledge her feminism.

Parton’s original lyrics featured one person “begging” a woman named Jolene, “Please don’t take my man.” Beyoncé updated the lyrics for her cover, transforming the plea into a warning.

“I’m warning you, don’t come for my man,” Beyoncé sang, later telling the Jolene character, “Don’t take the chance because you think you can.”

When a TMZ reporter approached McEntire on Thursday, April 4 to ask about Behar’s “Jolene” take, the “Can’t Even Get the Blues” singer laughed.

“Beautiful day, isn’t it?” McEntire, 69, said instead of answering the question. When pressed on whether she preferred one version of the song over the other, she answered simply: “Nope.”

Parton herself has appeared to be nothing but supportive of Beyoncé’s venture into country music. She released a statement about “Jolene” specifically last week to praise the singer for her lyrical revisions.

“Wow, I just heard Jolene,” Parton, 78, said on the day of Cowboy Carter’s release. “Beyoncé is giving that girl some trouble and she deserves it!”

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