Kacey Musgraves paid tribute to Dolly Parton at the 2026 MTV VMAs with an emotional performance of I Will Always Love You, honouring the late country music icon.
Musgraves appeared on stage in a pink sequined gown before delivering her rendition of Parton’s classic song. The performance marked her return to the VMAs stage.
Parton had long been among Musgraves’ most significant influences, with the singer previously praising her songwriting, fearlessness and business acumen.
The pair also performed together during a tribute at the 2019 Grammy Awards. In the days after Parton’s death, Musgraves honoured her again at a concert in Boston, singing Here You Come Again and dedicating her own song, Rainbow, to her.
Parton died on 25 August aged 80 following a brief battle with cancer. Her representatives said she was surrounded by loved ones at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville.
Musgraves’ VMAs performance provided a further farewell to the singer, with Parton’s music taking centre stage at one of the year’s biggest awards shows.
