She quickly turned the side effect into a joke about the practical demands of her performance. “And of course, I can’t be dizzy carrying around banjos, guitars, and such on five-inch heels – and you know that I’m going to be wearing them,” she said.
Parton continued, “Not to mention, all those heavy rhinestone outfits, the big hair, my big… uh, personality. Lord, those – that would make anybody swimmy headed!”
She also disclosed that she had struggled with kidney stones and said her immune and digestive systems had “got all out of whack over the past couple three years.” Her treatment was aimed at strengthening those areas, and she said doctors had assured her that her ailments were treatable.
Parton also made clear that treatment had not stopped her from working altogether. She said she remained involved in plans for a museum and hotel in Nashville and the forthcoming Broadway production “Dolly: A True Original Musical,” expected to open in New York later this year.
Parton’s virtual appearance at Dollywood came less than two months after fans saw her in person. On June 24, she attended the opening celebration for her new Tennessee travel stop, where videos also prompted viewers to discuss her appearance and health.
As footage from the celebration spread online, viewers became fixated on a brief moment that quickly sparked debate. According to a report, the new travel stop is a joint venture between Parton, her longtime manager Danny Nozell, and businessman Gregory H. Sachs.
Goddaughter Miley Cyrus Left ‘Shell-Shocked’
Among those hit hardest by the news is Parton’s goddaughter, Miley Cyrus, who appeared on “Hannah Montana” alongside her and later performed with her on multiple occasions. Parton never had children of her own.
“Miley is, as you’d expect, shell-shocked by the news,” a source said. “It is as deep a grief as you’d imagine, as Miley has always seen Dolly as the strongest woman. The fact she is gone doesn’t seem real.”
The source added that Cyrus and the immediate family had known about the cancer diagnosis, “so this wasn’t out of the realm of possibility, but everyone thought she’d battle through it.”
Music Icons Pay Tribute: Swift Remembers ‘Grace and Grit’ While Perry Sparks Debate
In the wake of Parton’s passing, tributes flooded in from artists across the music industry reflecting on her unparalleled influence. Taylor Swift paid tribute in an emotional statement published by People on August 25, 2026.
