E! Online·United States·Monday, September 28, 2026 at 12:47 AM

Kacey Musgraves Delivers Emotional Dolly Parton Tribute at VMAs 2026

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Marissa Dow

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Kacey Musgraves' love for Dolly Parton is like a butterfly.

The "High Horse" singer honored her precious connection to her late mentor by turning the 2026 Video Music Awards stage on Sept. 27 into a scene straight out of Nashville to celebrate her incomparable legacy.

Indeed, after a vintage clip of Parton speaking to a concert crowd about the importance of listening to women, Musgraves—donning a sparkling fuchsia dress—brought the audience inside Los Angeles' Peacock Theater to their feet when she performed a heartfelt rendition of "I Will Always Love You."

And as the Grammy winner sang, Parton's signature emblem of a butterfly floated on screen.

After Musgraves appeared to get choked up while finishing the number, VMAs host Snoop Dogg took the stage to emphasize the powerful moment.

"Wow, now that's how you honor a legend," he said. "There's nothing but love in this room for Miss Dolly Parton. We love you, Dolly."

And as a final send-off to the country legend, Snoop helped the audience erupt with applause, adding, "I said if you love Dolly Parton, make some noise!"

Musgraves was one of countless music peers who were touched by the historic career of the 9 to 5 actress, who died Aug. 25 following a brief battle with cancer. In fact, the Golden Hour musician previously spoke out about how Parton inspired her over the years, crowning the late 80-year-old "the ultimate songwriter."

"Beauty, sex appeal, brains, wit, humor, beautiful songwriting, meaningful songwriting, no apologies for who she is, LGBTQ advocate long before it was even a thing or trendy or whatever," Musgraves told Billboard in 2019. "She’s fearless, and I admire her spirit a lot, and she’s very kind. She’s very present when you’re talking to her and I just really love her so much."

Before Parton's death, the "Butterflies" artist got to show the world how much she would always love the Tennessee native during a joint performance of "9 to 5" with country singer Maren Morris at the 2019 Grammys.

Matthew Taplinger/CBS via Getty Images

And Musgraves' moving tribute follows others remembering the Coat of Many Colors artist's impact on music. At the 2026 Emmys, Reba McEntire—who was Parton's close friend of over 50 years—performed Parton's 1983 hit, "Appalachian Memories," after being introduced by her Steel Magnolias costar Sally Field.

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

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