Few people would describe Dolly Parton as “mean-spirited,” but a businessman once went on a public campaign to do just that. In the ’90s, Parton’s team was in contact with a Florida businessman who wanted to partner with the singer on a series. When talks fell apart, he took out advertisements to get her attention.

A businessman publicly disparaged Dolly Parton 

In the ’90s, Parton’s team received a pitch from a businessman for a series of “muffin-like” characters who lived in “Muffkinville.” Per the book Smart Blonde by Stephen Miller, he wanted to partner with Parton on a series in which she sang with them. Parton’s team took several meetings with the man, but ultimately decided to pass on the idea. At the time, Parton was working on an animated series of her own.

In response, the businessman took out thousands of dollars’ worth of ads to get Parton’s attention. When this didn’t work, he lashed out.

“When you see these great performers, you get these great images … I by no means say that Dolly has to do the project,” he said.” But it’s uncharacteristic for a performer to treat me in the mean-spirited way that I’ve been treated.”