When NBC premiered Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors in December 2015, millions of viewers were captivated by the heartwarming story of Dolly’s childhood. But just as unforgettable as the film’s touching message was the young actress who played Dolly herself: Alyvia Alyn Lind.
Just eight years old at the time, Alyvia stole hearts as the pint-sized country dreamer growing up in rural Tennessee. She returned the following year for the sequel, Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love, earning widespread praise for her emotional depth and charm.
From Soap Star to Dolly’s Mini-Me
Before donning Dolly’s signature curls, Alyvia was already a seasoned actress. She began playing Faith Newman on The Young and the Restless in 2011 — a role she continued for over a decade, growing up in front of daytime audiences.
She also appeared in fan-favorite series like Revenge, See Dad Run, and Transparent, all before she turned 10.
But it was her portrayal of Dolly Parton that took her career to another level. Even the Queen of Country herself was blown away.
“She just absolutely blew us away,” Dolly said in a 2015 interview. “She’s gonna make me look good as a child. I never was that cute!”
Where Is Alyvia Now?
Fast forward to 2024, and Alyvia Alyn Lind is 17 years old and still lighting up the screen — this time as a teenager.
In recent years, she’s shown off her acting chops in major projects like:
- Overboard (2018)
- Walk. Ride. Rodeo. (2019)
- Hulu’s Future Man
- And most notably, as Lexy Cross in Syfy and USA Network’s horror hit Chucky (2021–2024)
Now, Alyvia’s branching into fantasy. She’s been cast as Calliope in the much-anticipated Spiderwick Chronicles series, continuing her transition from child star to versatile young actress.
Growing Up in the Spotlight
It’s almost hard to believe it’s been nearly a decade since Coat of Many Colors aired. Alyvia’s transformation from Dolly’s sweet, barefoot alter ego to a rising Hollywood star is nothing short of remarkable.
And while she’s clearly grown up, fans still see that same spark — the same heartfelt presence that once made even Dolly Parton say, “She’s something special.”
Want to see how far she’s come? Scroll through her latest photos online, or revisit her behind-the-scenes interviews from Coat of Many Colors — a beautiful reminder of where it all began.
