Kacey Musgraves honored the late Dolly Parton with a performance of “I Will Always Love You” during the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards.
Key facts
- •Dolly Parton died on August 25 at the age of 80.
- •The tribute at the 2026 MTV VMAs featured a duet between Musgraves and archival footage of Parton.
- •Musgraves is nominated for Best Country at the 2026 VMAs for her song “Dry Spell.”
- •Parton originally wrote “I Will Always Love You” in 1973 to mark her transition to a solo career.
- •Musgraves has performed multiple tributes to Parton during her ongoing Middle of Nowhere tour.
During the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards, Kacey Musgraves delivered a tribute performance to the late country music legend Dolly Parton. The segment at the Peacock Theater began with archival footage of Parton singing her 1973 hit “I Will Always Love You” before Musgraves transitioned to a live performance of the song. Parton, who was 80, died on August 25.
The Tribute Performance
For the performance, Musgraves wore a sparkling pink dress and matching eyeshadow, styling her hair in a voluminous bouffant to mirror Parton’s aesthetic. The tribute concluded with Musgraves singing alongside the archival video of Parton. Snoop Dogg, the host of the ceremony, praised the performance, while Musgraves was also present as a nominee in the Best Country category for her single “Dry Spell.”
Parton’s Legacy and Recent Tributes
Dolly Parton’s death was announced by her nephew, Bryan Seaver, who noted that the singer’s family and team would continue to manage her legacy. Since Parton’s passing, Musgraves has frequently honored the singer during her Middle of Nowhere tour, including performances of “Here You Come Again” in Boston and “9 to 5” at Madison Square Garden. Musgraves has publicly expressed the personal impact of Parton’s death, describing the loss as the departure of a figure akin to royalty.
Timeline
- 1973Dolly Parton wrote and released the song “I Will Always Love You” to launch her solo career.
- August 25, 2026Dolly Parton passed away at the age of 80.
- August 28, 2026Kacey Musgraves performed a tribute to Parton during a tour stop in Boston.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Harpers Bazaar, Elle.
