Back in 2016, Dolly Parton and then-9-year-old Alyvia Alyn Lind, who portrayed a young Parton in the TV movie Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors, appeared on Hallmark’s Home & Family. They discussed the heartfelt story behind the film and delivered a moving performance of “Angel Hill”, a song that holds deep personal meaning for the country legend.
As Parton shared during the interview, “Angel Hill” was inspired by the loss of her baby brother, a moment that played a significant role in her childhood. Though she had written the song years earlier, she chose to record it for the movie to honor his memory.
“A big portion of the movie was based on us losing one of my little brothers,” Parton explained. “There were so many of us, born one right after another, and Mama would always tell one of the older kids, ‘This baby’s gonna be yours.’ So the baby she was carrying was supposed to be mine. But when we lost him, I was just heartbroken.”
Lind, who recorded the song alongside Parton for the film, joined her for an emotional live performance, leaving a lasting impression on viewers.
A TV Movie That Captivated Millions
Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors starred Alyvia Alyn Lind as young Dolly, Jennifer Nettles as her mother Avie Lee Parton, and Ricky Schroder as her father Lee Parton. The film resonated with audiences, drawing over 13 million viewers during its original broadcast. It later received the Tex Ritter Award at the 2016 ACM Awards, an honor given to a film that highlights country music.
Due to its success, a sequel titled Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love premiered later that year and even earned an Emmy nomination.
Lind’s Rising Acting Career
Since her portrayal of Dolly Parton, Alyvia Alyn Lind has continued to build an impressive acting career. She starred in Netflix’s Daybreak as Angelica Green and appeared in Future Man, Overboard, An American Girl Story: Maryellen 1955 – Extraordinary Christmas, and more.
From 2011 to 2021, Lind played Faith Newman on the soap opera The Young and the Restless. She is currently working on the horror series Chucky.
Coming from a family of entertainers, Lind is the daughter of actress Barbara Alyn Woods and producer John Lind. Her sisters, Natalie Alyn Lind and Emily Alyn Lind, are also actors, with their own successful careers in film and television.
Dolly Parton’s Continued Storytelling
Meanwhile, Dolly Parton has continued to bring her music and life stories to audiences. In 2019, she premiered her Netflix series Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings, which showcases the inspiration behind some of her most beloved songs.
With her legacy growing stronger each year, Parton’s ability to connect with fans—both through her music and storytelling—remains as powerful as ever.