On September 27, 2026, the MTV Video Music Awards featured a pre-recorded segment that honored the late Dolly Parton. Country singer Kacey Musgraves stepped into the spotlight to perform the iconic ballad “I Will Always Love You,” a song Parton wrote in 1974 and later popularized by Whitney Houston. The tribute opened with archival footage of Parton, dressed in black, delivering one of her trademark wry lines before segueing into a tender wish for love and happiness.
The performance and its visual language
When the video faded, Musgraves appeared alone on a dark stage, bathed in soft red lighting that echoed Parton’s glamorous stage persona. She wore a sparkling red bodysuit, her hair teased high, and her makeup mirrored the legendary singer’s classic sparkle. Accompanied solely by a grand piano, the arrangement was stripped down, allowing the melody and lyrics to dominate. Throughout the song, Musgraves kept her eyes closed, conveying a private moment of reverence that was met with a roar of applause from the live audience.
Musgraves’ ongoing homage to Dolly Parton
Since Parton’s death on August 25, 2026, at the age of 80, Musgraves has woven multiple tributes into her tour schedule. In Boston’s TD Garden, she dedicated her hit “Rainbow” to the country icon before launching into a rendition of Parton’s 1977 single “Here You Come Again.” A week later at Madison Square Garden, she surprised fans with “9 to 5,” emphasizing how Parton’s catalogue continues to resonate across generations. During a brief interview at the venue, Musgraves admitted, “I’m not over it, and I’m never gonna be over it,” underscoring the personal impact of the loss.
Shared history and mutual admiration
Musgraves and Parton first shared the stage at the 2019 MusiCares Person of the Year gala, where Musgraves and Katy Perry performed a duet of “Here You Come Again” before Parton joined them in a flowing white dress. Musgraves has often spoken about Parton’s influence, describing her in a 2021 interview as a style icon and a fearless businesswoman who never dimmed her flamboyance to fit industry expectations. She highlighted that Parton’s strength lay not only in songwriting but also in celebrating her femininity without apology.
Public response and broader commemorations
Social media lit up with praise for the VMAs tribute, with fans calling it “perfect” and “beautiful.” Many noted that Musgraves was the ideal artist to honor Parton, given their previous collaborations and mutual respect. Earlier in the year, Sally Field and Reba McEntire remembered Parton during the Emmy Awards’ In-Memoriam segment, calling her a “giant” both as an artist and as a human being. The collective outpouring demonstrates how Parton’s legacy continues to influence entertainers across genres.
Parton’s final chapter
In the days leading up to her death, Parton was hospitalized at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville for kidney and autoimmune complications. The official statement later revealed a “brief battle with cancer,” though the type was not disclosed. She was laid to rest at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum, alongside her husband Carl Dean, who passed away in March 2025. The timing of her passing, amidst a turbulent cultural moment, amplified the sense of loss felt by many.
Musgraves’ VMAs appearance also marked her return to the show after a five-year hiatus; her last performance was “star-crossed” in 2021. She entered the 2026 ceremony with a Best Country nomination for her single “Dry Spell,” underscoring her continued relevance in the industry while she honors the icons who paved the way.
