Dolly Parton Honored by Kacey Musgraves, Keith Urban, Reba McEntire: ‘We Will Always Love Her’

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.” Popular on Variety 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.” 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 2023 and 2024, 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.” 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.” Heartbroken to hear about Queen @DollyParton’s passing 😭💔 She was a true icon and such an inspiration to me. Her talent, heart and kindness touched so many lives, and she truly left this world better than she found it 🥹✨ Sending all my love to her family, friends and everyone… pic.twitter.com/FdKC6sPTGf— Paris Hilton (@ParisHilton) August 25, 2026 Dolly Parton’s music helped light up the world. She was a brilliant songwriter, cultural icon, and dedicated philanthropist who helped instill a love of reading and learning in millions of children around the world. May she rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/TfOcr6e2oe— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) August 25, 2026