Kacey Musgraves Honors Dolly Parton at 2026 VMAs

Kacey Musgraves paid tribute to the late country music icon Dolly Parton with a moving performance at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday.

The ceremony, held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, featured a video montage of Parton before Musgraves took the stage. The clip showed Parton reflecting on the importance of love and happiness before beginning her signature song, "I Will Always Love You."

Musgraves, dressed in a sparkling pink, feather-trimmed ensemble, seamlessly transitioned from Parton's recording to her own live rendition of the beloved ballad. The performance was met with appreciation from the star-studded audience.

Host Snoop Dogg lauded the tribute, stating, "That’s how you honor a legend … we love you, Dolly."

Musgraves, 38, was also nominated for Best Country for her track “Dry Spell.” Other nominees in the category included Ella Langley, Lainey Wilson, Luke Combs, Shaboozey, Stella Lefty, and Tucker Wetmore.

This is not the first time Musgraves and Parton have shared a stage. They previously performed a rendition of Parton’s 1977 hit “Here You Come Again” at the 2019 Grammy Awards.

Dolly Parton died on August 25, 2026, at the age of 80, after a brief battle with cancer. Her representatives released a statement noting her lifelong dedication to bringing joy and generosity into the world.

Parton had faced several health challenges in the period leading up to her death, including an infection that led her to cancel appearances and postpone a Las Vegas residency. She also missed her 80th birthday celebration due to health concerns.

Her last public appearance was in June 2026 at the opening of her "Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop." Parton's death followed that of her husband, Carl Dean, who passed away in March 2025.