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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Ellie Muir

Kacey Musgraves leaves fans ‘sobbing’ with emotional Dolly Parton tribute

  • Country singer Kacey Musgraves performed a moving tribute to the late Dolly Parton at the 2026 MTV VMAs in Los Angeles.
  • Musgraves delivered a piano-backed rendition of Parton's classic 1974 song I Will Always Love You, which opened with archival footage of Parton.
  • Fans widely praised the performance and remembered Parton, who died in August at age 80 following a brief battle with cancer.
  • Parton was buried at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Nashville alongside Carl Dean, her husband of 60 years, who died in March 2025.
  • The VMA performance follows an earlier tribute at the 2026 Emmy Awards, where Sally Field and Reba McEntire honored Parton.

IN FULL

Dolly Parton fans left in tears after country star’s VMAs tribute: ‘Perfect choice’

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