Could Emily Ann Roberts Play Young Dolly Parton in a Biopic?

Country music fans have a casting idea that’s getting people talking: Could Emily Ann Roberts be the right person to portray a young Dolly Parton in a future biopic?

With her East Tennessee roots, traditional country sound, and longtime admiration for Dolly, Emily has several qualities that make the idea intriguing. While no casting announcement has been made, it’s easy to understand why fans are imagining what she might bring to the screen.

Why Fans See a Connection Between Emily Ann Roberts and Dolly Parton

Emily Ann Roberts grew up in Knoxville, Tennessee, not far from the Smoky Mountain region that helped shape Dolly’s life and music. Both artists have strong connections to East Tennessee and a deep appreciation for traditional country music.

Emily first became widely known in 2015, when she competed on Season 9 of The Voice as a member of Blake Shelton’s team. At just 16 years old, she impressed audiences with her country vocals and finished as the season’s runner-up.

Over the years, fans have drawn comparisons between Emily and Dolly, pointing to their Southern roots, country styling, and love of classic country songs.

Emily has also spoken about how much she admires Dolly. In a previous interview, she acknowledged that being compared to the legendary singer feels surreal because Dolly is someone she has looked up to for so long.

Of course, looking like an artist and sharing her musical influences are only part of the equation. Portraying someone as recognizable as Dolly would require capturing her personality, humor, distinctive voice, and the determination that helped make her a household name.

Watch Emily Ann Roberts Sing Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5”

One reason the casting discussion is so interesting is Emily’s history of performing Dolly’s music.

During her time on The Voice, Emily delivered a performance of “9 to 5,” one of Dolly’s most recognizable hits. The song gave viewers an opportunity to hear her tackle a classic that generations of country fans know by heart.

Watch Emily Ann Roberts perform “9 to 5” on The Voice:

The performance is a great starting point for anyone curious about Emily’s vocal style and her connection to Dolly’s music.

Emily has continued celebrating Dolly’s catalog in more recent appearances, too. In April 2026, she performed Dolly’s classic “Do I Ever Cross Your Mind?” on The Dailey & Vincent Show, featured by RFD-TV.

Is a Dolly Parton Biopic Really Happening?

Interest in a Dolly Parton biopic has been around for years. Dolly herself previously discussed the possibility of bringing her life story to the big screen and suggested that several actors might be needed to portray her at different ages.

In past interviews, she mentioned possibilities including Reese Witherspoon, Scarlett Johansson, and her goddaughter Miley Cyrus. However, those were ideas she discussed publicly, not confirmation of a finalized cast.

In August 2026, reporting from the Los Angeles Times confirmed that a biopic was among the projects Dolly’s team had been developing as part of plans to continue her legacy. Specific casting and release details remain unannounced. <

That leaves plenty of room for fans to discuss who might be suited to portray Dolly during her younger years.

Emily Ann Roberts has not been officially announced for the role, and there is no confirmation that she has auditioned. For now, the idea remains a fan casting suggestion rather than an established production development.

Could Emily Bring Young Dolly to Life?

If Emily were ever considered for such a role, her musical background could be a valuable starting point.

A convincing portrayal would need more than a familiar appearance. Dolly’s story includes her childhood in a large family in the Smoky Mountains, her determination to pursue music, her early struggles in Nashville, and the songwriting talent that eventually made her an international star.

Emily’s own Appalachian upbringing and experience performing traditional country music could give her a meaningful connection to that world.

Still, portraying Dolly would be a major undertaking for any actor. Her unmistakable speaking voice, larger-than-life stage presence, sharp wit, and warm personality are just as important to her identity as her music.

A biopic could also require different performers to portray Dolly at different ages, as she herself once suggested.

Whether Emily would ultimately be considered for the role is unknown. But the conversation highlights just how much Dolly’s story continues to inspire younger country artists.

What Do You Think?

Emily Ann Roberts has the country roots, musical background, and admiration for Dolly Parton that make this an interesting possibility to discuss.

But would you like to see her portray a young Dolly in a future biopic, or do you have another actress in mind?

Tell us what you think in the comments!

And don’t forget to watch Emily’s performances above and share this story with another Dolly Parton fan.