Carly Pearce recalls meeting Dolly Parton at 16: 'I couldn't believe she was real'

Country music star Carly Pearce recently shared a poignant memory of her first encounter with the legendary Dolly Parton, an experience that occurred when Pearce was just 16 years old. At the time, Pearce was performing as part of the Country Crossroads show at Dollywood, Parton's famed theme park.

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I remember just staring at her because I couldn't believe she was real.

"I remember just staring at her because I couldn't believe she was real," Pearce recounted on "CBS Mornings." She added that Parton was "exactly what everybody wants her to be in real life," highlighting the icon's enduring charisma and authenticity.

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She's exactly what everybody wants her to be in real life.

This cherished memory gained renewed significance as Pearce recently participated in a special show honoring Parton for her songwriting achievements with the ACM Poet's Award. Parton, who passed away at 80 after a battle with cancer, had sent a video message for the event, emphasizing the profound importance of songwriting in her creative life.

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Songwriting has always been the most important part of who I am creatively.

Pearce expressed her deep sadness and disbelief at Parton's passing, noting the recent honor. "I never thought of a world where she wouldn't be here," Pearce said. "It just feels not real to me. We had just honored her at the ACM Honors this past week. I sang '9 to 5' for her, and she had a little video and was a whole part of our show as the ACM icon. So it was just a really crazy thing."

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I never thought of a world where she wouldn't be here.