Katy Perry has paid tribute to the ‘inspiring’ Dolly Parton with a series of heartwarming snaps on Wednesday in the wake of the country star’s passing.
It was announced on Tuesday that the music icon had died at the age of 80, with her death confirmed in an Instagram video posted by her nephew Bryan Seaver.
And taking to Instagram, Katy referred to Dolly’s ‘Big boobs, big brains, and a big voice’ and described her as a woman who ‘defied the stereotypes’ as she shared sweet words for the late singer.
Among a series of pictures of the pair throughout the years, Katy shared a video of herself hanging out with Dolly backstage at the music legend’s concert at the Hollywood Bowl in 2016.
Paying tribute to Dolly, Katy penned: ‘Like the rest of the world, my heart sank seeing the news of dear Dolly’s passing. She meant so much to so many people for so long.
‘For me, she was an example of a woman who defied the stereotypes for decades. She proved that big boobs, big brains, and a big voice can all exist in one tiny body! But the biggest thing about her by far was her heart.’
Katy Perry has paid tribute to the ‘inspiring’ Dolly Parton with a series of heartwarming snaps on Wednesday in the wake of the country star’s passing
Katy referred to Dolly’s ‘Big boobs, big brains, and a big voice’ and described her as a woman who ‘defied the stereotypes’ as she shared sweet words for the late singer.
It was announced on Tuesday that the music icon had died at the age of 80, with her death confirmed in an Instagram video posted by her nephew Bryan Seaver
She continued: ‘I had the honor of meeting and singing with her several times. Every time I saw Dolly, she was a pure, sweet (but not saccharine) sassy, cup of joy.
‘Her way of looking at life with a sense of humor has always been an inspiration to me… I remember having a dream of having her sing with me for my Super Bowl show, popping out of a larger than life rhinestone cowboy boot… and though she couldn’t do it at the time she sent my team a sweet note, through fax… it was 2015! lol.
‘If there’s someone you wanna look up to and model your life after, it’s Dolly. Dolly was glam, funny, and kind as f**k. Her star will forever shine bright and I bet you she’s already remodeling them pearly gates with rhinestones. We will always love you Dolly!’
Katy also shared a tweet she penned back in 2016 which read: ‘In a world driven by fear @DollyParton makes me feel safe, pure and simple.’
Katy’s fans were quick to comment to share their own tributes to Dolly, sharing in the Firework singer’s grief at her passing.
Meanwhile, Dolly’s death was greeted with a flood of tributes from a host of other stars, including from Reba McEntire, Maren Morris, Kacey Musgraves, Eminem, Sarah Jessica Parker, Pedro Pascal, Khloe Kardashian, Hillary Clinton and more.
President Donald Trump also paid tribute to Parton and ordered American flags lowered nationwide for one week in her honor.
Shortly after the news of Parton’s death broke, the Empire State Building’s official Instagram account announced that it would be lighting up the iconic landmark in ‘pink sparkle’ at 9.25pm Tuesday night to honor her.
Paying tribute to Dolly, Katy penned: ‘Like the rest of the world, my heart sank seeing the news of dear Dolly’s passing. She meant so much to so many people for so long’
Among a series of pictures of the pair throughout the years, Katy shared a video of herself hanging out with Dolly backstage at the music legend’s concert at the Hollywood Bowl in 2016
Katy fondly remembered the Queen of Country over the years
Katy shared lots of lovely memories of Dolly
Katy and Dolly performing on stage together
The popstar added a snap of herself posing at Dollywood, the theme park co-owned by the late star
Katy also shared a tweet she penned back in 2016 which read: ‘In a world driven by fear @DollyParton makes me feel safe, pure and simple’
Her representatives confirmed the country superstar’s death in a statement to People, sharing that the Jolene singer died following a ‘brief battle with cancer’. They did not disclose what type of cancer it was.
‘Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched,’ the statement read.
‘After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones.’
‘Her unmatched generosity reached the lives of countless people whom she would never meet, yet she was always there to offer a helping hand,’ the statement went on.
‘Whether it be the hundreds of millions of books donated through her invaluable Imagination Library or funding research that helped create a lifesaving vaccine used around the world, Dolly’s unconditional love for all people was the guiding force for her lasting impact.’
The legendary country singer’s death was first confirmed Tuesday in an Instagram video posted by her nephew Bryan Seaver, who also acted as her head of security.
She died Tuesday morning after being admitted Friday to Nashville’s Vanderbilt University Medical Center with autoimmune and kidney problems, according to TMZ.
Dolly’s loved ones began racing to Nashville upon hearing news of her hospitalisation but not all were able to reach her while she was alive.
Dolly died Tuesday morning after being admitted Friday to Nashville’s Vanderbilt University Medical Center with autoimmune and kidney problems, according to TMZ
‘This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago before I fully absorbed it as a future reality,’ Seaver said.
He hailed his aunt for having ‘lived in the light’ and said she was now ‘in the arms of Jesus’ and the company of her late husband Carl Dean, as well as her parents and ‘countless others who have watched her and longed to meet her in the heavens’.
Dolly, who is often referred to as the Queen of Country, enjoyed an illustrious music career that spanned an incredible six decades and was arguably best known for her hits Jolene and 9 to 5.
Her passing came after months of health woes fuelling fan fears for her wellbeing.
She pulled out of multiple public appearances, including a residency in Las Vegas and the opening of a new ride, NightFlight Expedition, at her Dollywood theme park.
The star was supposed to attend the ride’s grand opening on August 14. Instead, a video recording of the star addressing her fans was shared on a screen at the park, which is now regarded as her last public appearance.
Last October, the hitmaker’s younger sister, Freida Parton, worried fans when she asked for prayers for Parton.
However, hours later Freida returned to Facebook with an update, sharing she didn’t mean to ‘scare anyone’ and adding that Parton has ‘been a little under the weather’.
The songstress died just over a year after her husband Carl, whom she had been married to for nearly 60 years.
