Queen Latifah has opened up about her time working alongside the late country music legend Dolly Parton, describing it as 'unbelievable' — and revealing that Parton would cook homemade chicken and dumplings for her and her family after long working days, while also reportedly writing a song every single day.

What Queen Latifah Said About Dolly Parton

Appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Latifah recalled the experience with unmistakable warmth. 'It was like unbelievable to work with Dolly Parton. She was so cool. She's so cool. She's fun. She's as cool as you actually think she is, as she looked,' Latifah told host Jimmy Fallon.

Latifah went on to describe Parton's remarkable generosity in the kitchen, recalling that she cooked not just for Latifah but for her father and family as well. 'She made me chicken and dumplings. My dad, my family, they all clicked it up. And she would make these fudge things and bring them to work,' she said.

The Effort Behind the Cooking

What struck Latifah most was not just the gesture itself, but the effort involved. 'I was like, how do you work 12 hours? And then go home and make chicken and dumplings. You're not talking about chicken tenders, you know, out the bag in the fridge,' she said. Latifah emphasised that Parton put genuine care into her cooking. 'Like, you got to cut that up and make it and put your love into it. And it has to taste good. And it did. So, thank you, Dolly,' she added.

Parton's Extraordinary Creative Output

Beyond the kitchen, Latifah also marvelled at Parton's prolific songwriting habits. According to Latifah, Parton wrote five songs immediately and maintained a practice of writing roughly one song a day. 'She would just do it. So she was very inspirational. Like, wow, you can create like that. It's pretty awesome. Can't imagine how many songs she would write,' Latifah said. This aligns with Parton's widely documented reputation as one of the most prolific songwriters in music history.

About Queen Latifah

Queen Latifah is one of the most decorated figures in American entertainment. Her accolades include a Grammy Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, a Golden Globe Award, three Screen Actors Guild Awards, and two NAACP Image Awards, alongside an Academy Award nomination. In 2006, she became the first hip-hop artist to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame — a milestone that underscores her crossover impact across music and film.

The tribute is a reminder of how Parton's legacy extended far beyond music — into the warmth she brought to every collaboration, and to every kitchen.