What is the Dolly Parton tattoo sleeves conspiracy? Scarlett Johansson weighs in on viral theory 

On Monday, July 8, actress-singer Scarlett Johansson weighed in on the viral Dolly Parton tattoo sleeves conspiracy theory. The Black Widow actress attended the world premiere of her brand-new film Fly Me to the Moon, co-starring Channing Tatum, at the AMC Lincoln Square Theater in New York City, where she exclusively spoke about the Dolly Parton theory with People Magazine.

The publication asked her which conspiracy theory she was interested in besides the Apollo 11 moon landing being allegedly staged by the American government, on which her latest film was based. In response, Scarlett Johansson quipped:

“I don't know. I'm so not a conspiracy theorist. I'm like, I really believe in science. I don't know. I think probably that Dolly Parton has full tattooed sleeves… Is it real? We’ll find out.”

For those unaware, the Dolly Parton tattoo sleeve theory is that the veteran country musician almost always wears fully-sleeved outfits to conceal her arms, which are allegedly covered in ink.

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Exploring what Dolly Parton said about her tattoo sleeve conspiracy theory

Multiple-time Grammy-winning Dolly Parton is known for her contribution to country music fused with elements of rock, pop, bluegrass, and gospel, among others. Over the years, a conspiracy theory has been in circulation that the 78-year-old singer has tattoos on her arms, including that of a large butterfly on her left bicep, which was found by her fans from her 2006 photo while attending the anniversary of her 1980 hit song 9 to 5 for the eponymous comedy film.

While Dolly Parton wore long sleeves in the photo, fans noticed her satin white long sleeves, fueling rumors that she always wore them to hide her tattoo-covered arms. Social media users also pointed out that the legendary country musician had a similar reason for frequently wearing fingerless gloves.

However, in September 2020, Dolly Parton exclusively told People Magazine during an interview that although she has “some tattoos,” they were not all over her and were quite “tasteful,” adding that she was “not a tattoo girl.”

"My tattoos are pretty, they’re artful and they usually started out to cover some scar, not to make a big statement. Ribbons and bows and butterflies are the things that I have," she shared back then.

She further went on to explain how her tattoos were a way to convert her bad experience into a good memory.

"I was very sick for a while, and I had to wear a feeding tube. It left a little indention in my side and I didn't like it because I’m so fair that scars turn purple on me. I like to make positives out of negatives. I had a little beehive tattooed over it — a little yellow-and-brown beehive with a tiny little bee on top of the hive. The mouth of it is that little sinkhole," she added.

Later, in 2021, she also told W Magazine that she has a “few little tattoos here and there,” including those of an angel, ribbons, bows, butterflies, and beehives, among others. The I Will Always Love You songstress also mentioned that she didn’t have “real heavy, dark tattoos,” but rather “pastel” ones.

"Butterflies don't sting, they don't bite, and they are so beautiful. And I just kind of related to them with my own personality. I claimed them as my little symbol… And I have more than one!"

When asked if she had a tattoo of her husband of 58 years Carl Dean on her, the Dollywood founder replied that he was “tattooed on my heart.” She also quipped that she might get one later, including covering herself up “just so everybody could be right!”

In 2019, during an appearance on Good Morning America, Dolly Parton told the host Robin Roberts that her tattoos were meant to “decorate” her scars which she used as an artistic opportunity.

While it continues to remain undisclosed where exactly Parton has her tattoos, English actress-comedian Jennifer Saunders once said that she saw the country musician’s tattoos first-hand at a Los Angeles restaurant.

Saunders claimed during her appearance on There’s Something About Movies show that she was accompanying Roseanne Bar to the fine dine-out where they came across Dolly Parton. When they joined her at her table, Parton and Barr exchanged anecdotes about tattoos, and the former admitted to having inks on her breasts, sternum, and armpits, and even gave them a sneak peek at her “beautiful… works of art.”

Larry King and Jay Leno were among the first ones to ever talk about Dolly Parton’s tattoos. In fact, during a 1996 appearance of the Oscar nominee at the latter’s The Tonight Show, Dolly let Jay inspect her “guardian angel” and butterfly tattoos on her arm.