Dolly Parton rejects bill to erect statue in home US state

'I am honoured and humbled by their intention,' she wrote in a tweet

US singer-songwriter Dolly Parton seen waving after performing onstage at the 2019 MusiCares Person Of The Year gala at the Los Angeles Convention Centre. AFP

Famed performer Dolly Parton has respectfully declined a Tennessee state bill that would erect a statue of her, citing "all that is going on in the world".

John Windle, a state representative, put forth the bill, which praised Ms Parton and suggested there be a statue of the star placed on the grounds of the state capitol in Nashville.

"I want to thank the Tennessee legislature for their consideration of a bill to erect a statue of me on the Capitol grounds," she wrote in a tweet.

"I am honoured and humbled by their intention but I have asked the leaders of the state legislature to remove the bill from any and all consideration."

Mr Windle's bill passed the state's House Naming and Designating committee unanimously last week and was on the way for final approval in higher local and state legislative levels.

"Given all that is going on in the world, I don't think putting me on a pedestal is appropriate at this time," wrote the Tennessee native.

"I hope, though, that somewhere down the road several years from now or perhaps after I'm gone if you still feel I deserve it, then I'm certain I will stand proud in our great state capitol as a grateful Tennesseean," she added.

The bill outlined plans for the statue to stand facing the famous country music space Ryman Auditorium, where she has performed several times.

Local newspaper The Tennesseean reported that Mr Windle's bill is scheduled to go before the House state government committee for a vote next week. It is unclear if plans will go ahead after Ms Parton's statement.

"With all this going on now, we need people like her more than ever. To some degree, our political leaders and the political system have failed America in both parties," Mr Windle told The Tennesseean. "I would encourage people like Dolly to become more involved in the public place as opposed to less."

Nashville recently removed statues and busts praising leaders from the Confederate era, and Ms Parton's name came up as the local community looked into putting up new statues honouring modern figures.

The singer has received a string of accolades over charitable contributions in the US and globally.

With the pandemic specifically, Ms Parton donated $1 million to Vanderbilt University for coronavirus research in April 2020, which in part funded the creation of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine.

Her donation to the university was in the name of physician Naji Abumrad, who helped her recover after a 2013 car crash.

Her financial contribution, titled "the Dolly Parton Covid-19 Research Fund", was part of the funding sources for the vaccine, The Washington Post reported.

Ms Parton was also offered the Presidential Medal of Freedom twice by the Trump administration, she told NBC News, but declined due to complications each time.