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Kacey Musgraves honored Dolly Parton at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards with a piano-backed performance of “I Will Always Love You,” accompanied at first by archival footage of Parton. The tribute came just over a month after Parton died at 80. Musgraves’ appearance was her first VMAs performance since 2021.
Kacey Musgraves honored Dolly Parton at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday with a performance of “I Will Always Love You,” the song Parton wrote and first recorded. The tribute, staged just over a month after Parton’s death at 80, paired archival footage of the country star with a solo, piano-backed performance by Musgraves.
The segment opened with archival footage of Parton, dressed in black, delivering a wry line: “Don’t criticize your wife’s judgment. Just remember who she married.” The footage then turned to a more tender message: “I wish you joy and wish you lots of happiness, but above all I wish you love,” before Parton’s recorded voice began the song.
Musgraves first sang alongside the recording. As the video faded, she continued alone, accompanied by a single piano. She wore a sparkling red bodysuit, with her hair styled high and makeup evoking Parton’s well-known stage glamour. The sparse arrangement left the focus on Musgraves’ vocal and the recorded performance.
The performance marked Musgraves’ first time on the VMAs stage in five years. Her previous VMA performance was “star-crossed” at the 2021 ceremony. This year she had her third career VMA nomination, in the Best Country category for “Dry Spell,” according to Consequence.
A VMA Tribute After Parton’s Death
The performance brought Parton’s songwriting into a major televised music awards show at a time when audiences were still responding to her death. “I Will Always Love You” is closely associated with Parton’s career, and the use of her recorded voice and archival remarks placed her own words at the center of the tribute.
For Musgraves, the appearance connected a public award-show moment with her earlier tributes to Parton. The two artists are both associated with country music, though the performance itself was presented as a memorial rather than a collaboration or new release. The VMA segment also brought Musgraves back to the ceremony as a performer after her 2021 appearance.
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Musgraves’ Earlier Parton Tributes
Parton died on August 25, 2026, at age 80, according to the source report. In the days after her death, Musgraves paid tribute during a concert in Boston by performing Parton’s 1977 hit “Here You Come Again.” She also posted a message on social media: “Dolly. This really really hurts. The world feels a lot less sparkly all of a sudden.”
Musgraves is currently touring in support of her 2026 album, Middle of Nowhere, with dates scheduled through late October, Consequence reported. The VMAs performance took place during that tour period. Parton wrote “I Will Always Love You,” which was released in 1974; the song later became widely known through versions by other artists as well.
““I wish you joy and wish you lots of happiness, but above all I wish you love.””
— Dolly Parton, in archival footage shown during the VMA tribute
Details Beyond the Televised Tribute
The source report describes the performance and Musgraves’ nomination but does not provide a full set list for the 2026 VMAs or details of any further tribute plans. It is also unclear whether the performance will be released as an official recording. No additional comments from Musgraves about the VMA segment were included in the report.
Musgraves Continues Her Tour
Musgraves’ tour for Middle of Nowhere is scheduled to continue through late October 2026, according to Consequence. The report did not identify a further VMA-related appearance or a planned release of the tribute performance. Any additional details about the tour or an official video would depend on announcements from Musgraves, her representatives, or the awards organizers.
Key Questions
What did Kacey Musgraves perform at the 2026 VMAs?
She performed Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You” as a tribute to Parton.
How was the performance staged?
It began with archival footage of Parton and her recorded voice. Musgraves sang alongside the recording, then continued alone with a single piano after the footage faded.
When did Dolly Parton die?
Parton died on August 25, 2026, at age 80, according to the source report.
When did Musgraves last perform at the VMAs?
Her previous VMA performance was “star-crossed” at the 2021 ceremony, making the 2026 appearance her first performance at the show in five years.
Is Musgraves still touring?
Yes. Consequence reported that she was touring in support of Middle of Nowhere, with dates scheduled through late October 2026.
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