Dolly Parton’s Hollywood Walk of Fame star has been vandalized just one week after the country music legend’s passing.
Parton died last Tuesday at the age of 80, following a short battle with cancer. Her passing prompted a worldwide wave of grief, with millions of fans seeking to pay tribute to the rural girl from Tennessee who defied the odds to become a global megastar.
A number of them converged on Hollywood Boulevard, where Parton’s star has been found since 1984. Mourners left bouquets of flowers, handwritten cards, and other tributes to the country music icon, who was reportedly laid to rest in a private funeral at the weekend.
On Monday, fans were shocked to find that someone (or several someones) had reportedly vandalized the site of Parton’s Hollywood star, stealing floral arrangements and leaving visible gouges directly into the terrazzo surface, specifically targeting and scratching over Parton’s name.
Ana Martinez, a spokesperson for the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, confirmed that officials had been alerted on Monday night regarding the vandalism and theft.
On Tuesday, Martinez said that the star had previously developed minor natural cracks over the decades and routine maintenance was tentatively penciled in, the Chamber and the Hollywood Historic Trust brought in specialized repair crews with immediate effect to address the deliberate defacement following her death.
“The flowers had been removed yesterday morning in order to do the scheduled repair on the star today,” Martinez explained, adding that crews will cut out the damaged surface and re-pour the marker.
“The repairs are currently ongoing and are done by the Hollywood Historic Trust which maintains and repairs the Walk of Fame stars. The star will cure and will be polished on Friday for fans to enjoy.”
The defacement of Parton’s Hollywood star prompted angry reactions online, but local officials have revealed that security will monitor the site while the fresh materials set, ensuring mourners can return to pay their respects peacefully once the star is re-polished.
Rest in peace, Dolly Parton.
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