Eminem shared a heartfelt tribute to Dolly Parton following the country music icon's death, posting a letter she had written to him after they were both inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2022.
"I’m sorry we never got a chance to meet, but getting this note from Dolly really had an impact on me," Eminem wrote on social media, describing Parton as a "superstar in every sense."
Parton's letter congratulated Eminem on his hall of fame induction and praised his performance at the 2022 ceremony. "Even though I don’t know about rap music, I’ve come to know that you are the very best at it," she wrote, noting that she felt "some unexplained connection" to the rapper.
Parton, who had initially declined her nomination to the hall of fame in 2022, reversed her decision after learning the honor was not exclusively for rock musicians. In her letter, she expressed hope to meet Eminem someday and encouraged him to "keep doing what you’re doing because you do it so well."
"No matter how complex your world may be just know you are very special and touch people in ways you don’t even know," Parton concluded her message.
Eminem stated that Parton "definitely didn’t have to take the time" to send the letter, adding that she was an icon even for someone who primarily listened to rap music. "Rest easy Dolly. And thank you for the kind words," he wrote.
Eminem's tribute comes as other celebrities have also honored Parton after her family announced her death on Tuesday, following a brief battle with cancer.