Children's entertainer Caterina Mete, known for her work with The Wiggles, has revealed a large portrait tattoo of country music icon Dolly Parton on her forearm and shared touching memories of meeting the singer.
Mete's profound admiration for Parton was highlighted in an Instagram post following the news of the legendary singer's death at age 80. The post detailed a meeting between Mete and Parton in Nashville, Tennessee, in June of the previous year. During this encounter, Mete showed Parton her tattoo, a permanent tribute to the singer.
Parton's representatives confirmed her passing on Tuesday, stating it followed a brief battle with cancer. She died at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, surrounded by loved ones, according to a statement to People. Parton had been experiencing health issues in the months leading up to her death, which had led her to cancel public appearances.
The Wiggles' official Instagram page noted Parton's significance in Mete's life, calling her a childhood idol and lifelong inspiration. The post further revealed that Mete named her own daughter Dolly in honor of the singer. Meeting her idol was described as a dream come true, made even more special by Parton's interaction with both Mete and her daughter. The post characterized Parton as "every bit as warm, kind and wonderful as Caterina had always imagined."
The photograph taken during their meeting shows Parton signing Mete's tattoo with a Sharpie. Fans reacted to the news and the shared memory, with many commenting on Parton's status as a "treasure" and expressing admiration for the heartfelt tribute.