Harry Styles paid tribute to the late Dolly Parton during the first night of his Madison Square Garden residency in New York City on Wednesday. The singer, who is scheduled for 30 dates at the venue, paused his performance to honor the iconic country music star.
Following the announcement of Parton's death on Tuesday, Styles took a moment on stage to express his gratitude. "I just want to say thank you to all the musicians over the years that have inspired me. Dolly thank you so much," he told the audience.
His band then performed a rendition of Parton's 1974 hit "I Will Always Love You," with Styles encouraging the crowd to sing along. The tribute comes as other public figures, including Miley Cyrus and Katy Perry, have also shared heartfelt messages remembering Parton.
Parton's representatives confirmed her death, stating she passed away after a brief battle with cancer. They noted her "unmatched generosity" and her lifelong dedication to bringing "joy, laughter, hope and integrity" to her work, citing her Imagination Library book donation program and contributions to vaccine research. Parton died at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones.