For most people, bedtime is about washing off the day and winding down. For Dolly Parton, it’s the opposite — because you never know when an earthquake might strike. In one of her most jaw-dropping yet perfectly on-brand admissions, Dolly revealed she goes to sleep in full makeup every night, a habit that left longtime friends and co-stars Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin stunned.
“I never remove my makeup before bed so I’m always ready in case of an earthquake,” Dolly explained matter-of-factly. Living in California, she jokes that preparedness isn’t about flashlights or emergency kits — it’s about lashes, liner, and lipstick. If disaster strikes at 3 a.m., she wants to step outside looking unmistakably like herself.
The confession reportedly surfaced during conversations tied to their time working on the classic comedy 9 to 5, directed by Colin Higgins. Known for her disciplined wellness habits, Fonda couldn’t believe the idea of intentionally sleeping in makeup, while Tomlin — famously low-maintenance — reacted with equal disbelief. For them, it defied every skincare rule in the book. For Dolly, it was simple logic mixed with humor.
She has long said she’d rather risk a little skin irritation than be caught bare-faced during an unexpected emergency. Her routine flips beauty convention: instead of removing makeup at night, she washes her face in the morning and immediately reapplies her signature glam. It’s not about insecurity, she insists — it’s about consistency and maintaining the image she’s built with intention.
Fans often call this mindset the “Dolly philosophy.” From sky-high wigs to rhinestone-studded outfits, she treats presentation as part of her art. Her famous line — “It takes a lot of money to look this cheap” — captures that playful self-awareness. Sleeping in makeup is simply another extension of her commitment to the persona she lovingly curates.
The moment also highlights the trio’s enduring friendship. Since their breakout collaboration, they’ve followed very different paths — Fonda and Tomlin later reunited on Grace and Frankie, while Dolly expanded her legacy as a songwriter, philanthropist, and cultural icon — yet their bond remains full of humor and admiration.
Dolly later reflected on the habit in her memoir Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones, noting she’s followed this ritual since the 1980s. To her, it’s not vanity — it’s discipline wrapped in sparkle.
Whether she’s writing timeless hits, headlining arenas, or hypothetically dashing outside during an earthquake at dawn, one thing stays certain: Dolly Parton is always ready. Hair done. Face on. No exceptions.