Dolly Parton reportedly wanted to protect her loved ones from seeing her in a fragile state before her death. Her longtime wig and makeup artist, Cheryl Riddle, was reportedly the exception.According to TMZ's September 23, 2026, report, sources familiar with the situation said Parton did not want family members or friends to visit her on her deathbed. The country music star reportedly wanted people to remember her as she was, rather than during her final days.TMZ @TMZLINKDolly Parton Only Wanted Longtime Wig and Makeup Artist at Her Side When She DiedCheryl Riddle was reportedly permitted to be by Parton's side because of her professional role. Sources told TMZ that Parton expected Riddle to handle her hair and makeup after her death, allowing her to be prepared for an open-casket service.TMZ reported that Parton died at age 80 in August 2026, after stepping away from public life amid health issues. The report also said her nephew Bryan Seaver visited her the day before her death and that her siblings were denied entry.More about those behind Dolly Parton's iconic hairstylesCheryl Riddle was Dolly Parton's longtime wig and makeup artist, according to TMZ. The report claimed that Parton wanted Riddle to be present because she would eventually be responsible for her hair and makeup. The outlet reported that Cheryl Riddle styled the music icon one last time for her open-casket service.British Vogue's June 29, 2023, profile of wig stylist Sarah Necia also included additional context about the professional network surrounding Parton's signature hairstyles.In that profile, Sarah Necia explained how she began working with the singer's family after Dolly's niece, Rebecca, contacted her about a wig for a Graham Norton Christmas television appearance. Parton and Cheryl Riddle were reportedly impressed with Necia's work and sent her two wigs to style as a trial.More about Dolly Parton’s signature hair and the stylists behind itDolly Parton's distinctive hairstyles have remained closely associated with her public image throughout her career. PEOPLE's August 25, 2026, retrospective described her as a musical legend known for her songs, philanthropy, and recognizable rhinestone-studded appearance.In their report, PEOPLE highlighted several of the country music star's hairstyles across different decades. These included her early beehive and sideswept bangs, the high poof and loose curls she wore during a 1977 performance, and the full-bodied curls featured on her 1987 television variety show.Dolly Parton on the set of the Oprah Winfrey Show in Chicago, Illinois, February 2, 1987 (Source: Getty)PEOPLE also noted the country music icon's comments about her extensive wig collection in their report. In a 2023 interview with Entertainment Tonight, she joked that she had at least 365 wigs because she wore one almost every day. She said,"Once somebody asked me, 'How many wigs do you have?' I said, 'Well, I must have at least 365, because I wear one almost every day.'"British Vogue's 2023 profile of Sarah Necia further illustrated how Dolly Parton's hair styling involved collaboration with other professionals. Necia said that, after her trial work on Parton's wigs, the singer would FaceTime her to model the results.The profile by British Vogue also noted Sarah Necia's work on Parton's Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones, an exploration of the singer's fashion across decades.Read More: Country music icon Dolly Parton breathes her last at 80, family shares heartfelt message