Kacey Musgraves took the stage at the 2026 MTV VMAs on Sunday, September 27, delivering a heartfelt performance of "I Will Always Love You" as a tribute to Dolly Parton, the country music icon who died earlier this year.
Musgraves, dressed in a form-fitting pink sequined gown, returned to the VMAs stage to perform the classic ballad, embodying the spirit of the late superstar. The tribute served as a poignant farewell from an artist who has frequently cited Parton as a major influence.
Parton died on August 25 at the age of 80 after a brief battle with cancer. According to TMZ, her representatives stated that she was surrounded by loved ones at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville at the time of her passing.
Musgraves has long praised Parton's songwriting, fearlessness, and business acumen. The two artists previously shared a stage during the 2019 Grammys tribute to Parton. Additionally, just days after Parton's death, Musgraves honored her during a Boston concert by performing "Here You Come Again" and dedicating her own song, "Rainbow," to the icon.
The VMAs performance marked another powerful goodbye, demonstrating that Parton's music continues to resonate on the biggest stages.