August 26, 2026 bachelor insider
Emily Maynard Remembers Meeting Dolly Parton on ‘The Bachelorette’ in Touching Tribute
Forever in our hearts.
Bachelor Nation got to know fan favorite Emily Maynard Johnson on Season 15 of “The Bachelor” and again when she became the Season 8 Bachelorette.
Emily found her happily ever after with her husband of 11 years, Tyler Johnson, after her time on the show. And if you watched Emily’s season of “The Bachelorette,” you likely recall that her daughter Ricki was a big part of her story.
Emily’s identity as a single mom was central to her season, as Ricki was from her relationship with NASCAR driver Ricky Hendrick, who tragically passed away in a plane crash in 2004 shortly before Emily discovered she was pregnant.
Over the years, Emily has kept followers updated with her and her family’s lives online. And this week, she took to social media to remember one of her “Bachelorette” dates, where she got to meet the icon and legend Dolly Parton.
Yesterday, news broke that Dolly peacefully passed away after a brief battle with cancer. And tributes have been pouring in for the beloved singer, songwriter, actress, and philanthropist.
In her post, Emily shared photos from her experience meeting Dolly and recalled what that moment meant to her.
She said, “Dolly had a way of making everyone feel seen, even a single mom looking for love at Dollywood. 🤍Getting to meet her all those years ago is a memory I’ll treasure forever, but my love for Dolly started long before that day.”
Emily went on, “I’ve always admired her music, of course, but even more than that, the way she lived her life: with faith, kindness, humor, and the courage to speak her mind and be unapologetically herself.”
The Bachelor Nation star ended her post with gratitude to have been able to share that time with the beloved singer.
“There will never be another Dolly,” she expressed. “I feel so lucky to have shared even a small moment in her orbit. From here to the moon and back. 🌙🤍”
We will never forget that special moment, and we are forever grateful Emily was able to share that experience with Dolly. What a beautiful tribute. We will always love you, Dolly!
