Dolly Parton was unable to attend an in-person appearance at her Dollywood theme park on Friday due to ongoing health issues, a doctor's orders preventing travel.
Parton, 80, appeared virtually at the opening ceremony for the park's new roller coaster, the NightFlight Expedition, to address fans. "I've told you before, all my fans, that I have had a few little health issues. And sometimes I get a little dizzy, and I get dehydrated," she explained in a video posted by the Knoxville News Sentinel and the Tennessean.
She added that her doctor in Nashville had advised her against traveling for the week. "So I guess if your doctor tells you you ain't traveling this week, you ain't traveling this week," Parton stated, emphasizing her commitment to keeping her fans informed.
Dollywood is located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, approximately a three-hour drive from Nashville. The Grammy winner's last public appearance was in late June for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Dolly's Tennesseean Travel Stop. At that time, she appeared in good spirits.
Parton's health challenges have been ongoing since last year, beginning with kidney stones in September. She had been scheduled to attend the Dollywood event to announce a new attraction but appeared via video to explain her recovery from a previous infection. "Turns out there was an infection, and the doctor said, 'You don't need to be traveling around this minute, so you need a few days to get better,'" she told attendees.
Earlier in the year, Parton postponed her Las Vegas residency due to "health challenges" and several procedures. In a video shared in May, she indicated that while recovering well from treatments and improving daily, she needed more time before being ready for stage performances.
She also missed her 80th birthday celebration in January. Despite these setbacks, Parton is continuing work on her forthcoming Broadway production, "Dolly: A True Original Musical," which was announced the previous month. She will be involved in the production to ensure the musical is told in her own words and reflects the music that has been integral to her life.
Parton's husband, Carl Dean, passed away at the age of 82 earlier this year, and she also recently mourned the loss of her brother, Coy "Denver" Parton, who died on July 23.