Christie Brinkley Nominates Dolly Parton for SI Swimsuit After Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Outfit Response

Christie Brinkley is the latest celebrity to sing Dolly Parton's — and her Dallas Cowboys cheerleader uniform's — praises. 

On Nov. 23, the “Jolene” singer, 77, broke the internet when she and her Cowboys outfit hit the stage during the NFL’s Thanksgiving Day game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Commanders. 

While totally iconic, Parton’s look — which featured a crop top, star-embellished shorts with a matching teeny vest (all in the Cowboys' blue and white team colors) and bedazzled mesh covering her midriff — garnered divisive comments and criticism. That's because social media users were quick to question whether or not Parton should have dressed in such a look at her age.

However, Brinkley, 69, is here to put the haters in their place. In an Instagram post shared on Wednesday, she proved just how much of a fan she is of Parton and her onstage 'fit.

“Whoever had the nerve to suggest that the one and only Dolly Parton should dress her age should sit down! You should know you can’t define an icon like Dolly Parton by a number!” Brinkley wrote alongside a throwback photo of her and the country superstar. 

The model listed all of Parton’s “immeasurable” qualities, including her “too numerous to count talents, her boundless good energy and effervescent humor, and her golden philanthropic heart full of love! And the fact that she can also rock a Dallas cheerleader outfit too is inspiring and fun!” 

Brinkley didn’t forget to mention the musician’s latest career achievement: topping the Billboard rankings with her 49th solo album, Rockstar, which opened at the No. 3 spot and has become Parton's highest-charting album ever on the Billboard 200 charts.

“Brava you go girl! I’ll cut this short like your killer outfit and just say, LOVE YOU DOLLY!” 

Plus, Brinkley pitched one more milestone she would love to see her friend accomplish. “Maybe @si_swimsuit is next?” Brinkley suggested. 

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up to date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Whoopi Goldberg is another star who has publicly backed Parton’s style game.

In a Nov. 27 episode of The View, Goldberg, a co-host, said: "Seventy-seven-year-old superstar Dolly Parton stole the show on Thanksgiving at the Cowboys/Commanders game dressed as a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader, but some critics told her to act her age," adding, "Bite me."

Another defender in Parton’s pack? Her little sister Stella Parton! 

In response to the negativity, Stella, 74, wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter), “I personally thought my big sister Dolly was cute as hell in her Dallas Cowboys cheerleading costume at the Halftime show on Thanksgiving.” 

“To those of you being so critical of a 77 year old kicking up her heels, I say f--- yourself. Shame on you not her,” she added.