Kacey Musgraves, Keith Urban, Khloe Kardashian, Jamie Lee Curtis and more are paying tribute to the iconic musician Dolly Parton, who died on Aug. 25.
Musgraves, who joined Parton on stage for an all-star tribute performance at the 2019 Grammy Awards, took to X and wrote, “Dolly. This really really hurts. The world feels a lot less sparkly all of a sudden. So glad she’s with her Carl Dean. No one talk to me today.” Fellow country superstar Keith Urban shared his own tribute to Parton, posting to his Instagram Stories, “Heartbroken today. Honestly… I have no words right now.”
Reba McEntire posted a photo of her with Parton on X and wrote, “Well, I just got the news that my buddy Dolly passed onto the higher and greater side. Dolly, thank you for all the wonderful things you did for us here on earth. Your love, your music and you gave so much with your huge huge heart. There will never ever be another you. We will remember and cherish every memory and every note you ever played and sang. Thank you, Lord, for Dolly. She’s gonna have a blast in heaven singing all her favorite songs with all her family and friends who have gone on before her. I’ll never forget the first time I met you and I’ll never forget our last conversation. I hold it with love in my heart. I will always love you, Reba.”
Actress Jamie Lee Curtis posted a photo of her with Parton on Instagram with the caption, “They say don’t meet your heroes. Her bravery to know that she was more than they thought she was and that she needed to break away and move on into new work and new possibilities led her to write I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU, as her way of thanking and loving, but moving on. She is a great example for us all.
Actor Colman Domingo wrote, “Dolly taught us that you can be anything and do anything and to do it with kindness. What a light. We are all grateful that we lived in a time of Dolly Parton. We will always love her.”
In a statement, Julia Roberts who starred alongside Parton in “Steel Magnolias,” wrote, “Dolly was a magical and joyous human. I hold knowing her as a treasure in my life. The sun has dimmed today.”
Sally Field who also starred in the film wrote, “If there are truly angels on earth, then we have just lost one. Dolly Parton. There will never be another. I adored her with all my heart and will always cherish our time together. Forever. Rest in peace beautiful Dolly.”
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Jane Fonda wrote a heartfelt tribute to her “9 to 5” co-star. She wrote, “I am devastated. I just learned that Dolly has moved on. I know that millions are mourning and I want to say this – more than anyone I have ever known, Dolly will always be with us because she was so present, so powerful, so generous and playful that she is woven into all our lives and hearts forever.”
Parton and Fonda were reunited years later on the TV series, “Grace and Frankie” which also starred Lily Tomlin.
Fonda continued, “We have our memories of her, her songs, Dollywood, “9to5,” the millions of books she got into the hands of children, all the iconic images that bring her to us. And they are all blessings. Let’s be grateful for all that she has left us to ease our sadness now. I never knew anyone like her. She was simultaneously a naughty, playful southern gal from the hollows of Tennessee and a deep, soulful thinker who could see through people right down to their true selves. She was many things…lyricist, songstress, player of many instruments, writer, prankster, visionary, loyal friend, who’d never go to bed before she and her friends had laughed so hard they’d have to cross their legs.”
In her tribute, Fonda went on to say, “She had a survivor’s instinct and seemed to always know just what to do, just what to say, to make things right…and then she’s stick her butt out the car window and moon Kenny Roger’s home. She was the voluptuous embodiment of empathy. That’s something of hers she’d want us all to take with us.”
Fonda then addressed Parton’s LGBTQ+ following and said, “To her gay and trans fans, I want you to know that she loved you. You know that without me telling you. She loved all her fans and they are legion. And you know she doesn’t want y’all to mourn now. Dress up and celebrate her spirit. But first, watch the final episode of Grace and Frankie where she’s an Angel, the head honcho working class angel in Heaven. RIP, beautiful woman. We love you.”
Parton’s “9 to 5” co-star Lily Tomlin simply wrote, “No words.”
The Academy of Country Music shared a statement and said, “The Academy is deeply saddened by the passing of Dolly Parton. She leaves behind a legacy that reaches far beyond the stage. Through her unmistakable voice, unforgettable songs, generosity and larger-than-life spirit, she touched generations and made the world a little brighter.
A member of the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Grand Ole Opry, Dolly was a 14-time ACM Award recipient and three-time host of the ACM Awards. She gave us some of country music’s most enduring songs and moments, and at this year’s ACM Honors, she was honored with the ACM Poet’s Award — a beautiful recognition of the songwriter whose words became a part of so many lives.
As we look back on these ACM moments, we’re reminded of the incredible mark Dolly left on country music and on all those who grew up with her songs. Her music will live on, carrying her voice and her story forward for generations to come.
Rest in peace, Dolly. 🦋”
CEO Emeritus of the Academy of Country, Damon Whiteside added, “Two of the absolute highlights of my career at the Academy were collaborating with Dolly as she hosted the ACM Awards in 2022 and 2023, and having the profound privilege of honoring her with the ACM Poet’s Award just last week at the ACM Honors. On behalf of myself, our staff, and the Board of Directors, we are entirely devastated by this unfathomable loss to Country Music and the entire world. Quite simply, there will never be another Dolly Parton. While our hearts are heavy, her incomparable spirit lives on through her music, her boundless legacy, and the endless inspiration she leaves behind. We will always love Dolly.”
Melissa Etheridge shared, “Words fail me today, words to describe the spirit that was Dolly. I was blessed with knowing her, just a little. We all were. I will strive the rest of my days to be as joyful and loving as she was. Her talent and gifts she gave us will live on for generations. We are a better world because she walked among us. May she live in the stars of the night and in the light of our days.”
Elton John took to Instagram and posted that he was “Shocked and devastated to hear of Dolly’s passing.” John collaborated with Parton on his 2023 “Rockstar” album for a cover of his hit, “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me.” He called her “a giant of an artist – unique and irreplaceable, with the kindest heart.”
Mick Jagger called her a “wonderful songwriter and singer.” He said, “She brought so many people together, we will all miss her so much.”
Khloe Kardashian also shared a tribute to Parton on her Instagram Stories, “Some people are extraordinary, their existence feels almost impossible. Dolly was one of those people. A once-in-a-lifetime soul. A woman whose light, heart, talent and humanity changed this world forever. To have admired her was a gift. To have met her, spent time in her presence, and somehow been lucky enough that Dolly Parton knew my name… I will never have words big enough for what that means to me. What an astronomical human being. What a legacy. What a loss. There will never be another Dolly.”
President Donald Trump also weighed in, paying tribute to the singer on Truth Social. “Very sad to report that Dolly Parton, one of the greatest Country singers, and far beyond, EVER, has just passed away,” he wrote. “This is a true loss for millions of people. There has never been anyone like her, and never will. In her honor, I am lowering the American flag throughout the United States for a one week period beginning tonight at 6:00PM. Rest in Peace, Dolly! The World loves you.”
Kristen Chenoweth, meanwhile, wrote on Instagram, “Like the rest of the world, I’m immediately heartbroken. I met Dolly on several occasions and she always made me feel like one of her own. She even agreed to sing with me on one of my records. My ultimate inspiration. The world has lost one of the best but I know we will never forget her because she is impossible to forget. I love you Dolly and I will ALWAYS love you.”
From Variety US