08/26/2026
She was feeling it
Queen of Country had to cancel last minute đź’”
Dolly Parton has shared a heartfelt update with fans after being forced to pull out of a rare public appearance at Dollywood.
The country music icon was due to attend the launch of NightFlight Expedition, the theme park's biggest and most expensive ride yet, but said her doctor advised her not to travel after she experienced dizziness and dehydration.
In a video message played to visitors, Parton apologised for missing the event and explained:
"I have had a few little health issues. And sometimes I get a little dizzy, and I get dehydrated. And I'm dehydrated."
She added:
"My Nashville doctor clipped my wings, saying you ain't travelling this week. So I guess if your doctor tells you you ain't travelling this week, you ain't travelling this week."
Parton reassured fans that "all is going well on the medical end of things", adding that she likes to keep them updated on what's happening.
The 11-time Grammy winner has previously said she is responding well to treatment but that it will take time before she's back to performing.
"I'm improving every day," she said in a previous update. "I'm doing really well, and they assure me that everything I have is treatable."
Parton has faced health challenges over the past year and has also spoken openly about grieving the death of her husband, Carl Dean, who died in March 2025.
Despite missing the Dollywood event, Parton ended her message on a typically playful note—appearing with digitally added butterfly wings as she joked about her "little butterfly wings" getting tired. 🦋