Kacey Musgraves will lead a tribute to Dolly Parton at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards, marking her first live appearance at the show in five years. The performance is set for Sept. 27, and Musgraves will honor the country icon with a set that pays tribute to her life and legacy.
The tribute comes after Parton’s death in August. Musgraves responded publicly with grief, writing on X that “the world feels a lot less sparkly all of a sudden.” She later posted, “Dolly. This really really hurts.”
Musgraves’ Grief Is Public
Musgraves found solace in imagining Parton reunited with her late husband, Carl Dean, who died in March 2025. “So glad she’s with her Carl Dean,” Musgraves wrote. “No one talk to me today.”
Tour Stops Honor Parton
Musgraves paid tribute to Parton during the Boston and New York stops of her Middle of Nowhere tour. She performed “Here You Come Again” and “9 to 5” for the crowds.
At Madison Square Garden, Musgraves addressed the audience directly. “I’m not over it, and I’m never gonna be over it,” she told the crowd. She described Parton’s death as a loss that felt personal to everyone in the room.
“I think why it feels so dark is it’s already hard to navigate these times right now, and then we lose a matriarch like that,” Musgraves said. “It’s the closest thing we’ve ever had to royalty.”
The Performance Lineup
Musgraves is nominated in Best Country for “Dry Spell.” Her tribute will join a lineup that includes other notable acts.
Three artists will perform a tribute to George Michael, who died nearly a decade ago. Raye, Sombr, and Teddy Swims make up that tribute. Other performers set for the show include Gunna, Lisa, Shaboozey, Gener8ion, Sienna Spiro, and Yung Lean.
Madonna will open the show with her first VMAs performance in 20 years.
What the Tribute Might Look Like
The announcement does not specify which songs Musgraves will play during the tribute. Given her recent tour performances, it would not be surprising to hear “Here You Come Again” or “9 to 5” again.
The tribute is likely to be a moment of genuine emotion. Musgraves has made clear she is still processing Parton’s death, and that honesty carries through to the stage.
A Long Wait Between Appearances
This will be Musgraves’ first live appearance at the VMAs in five years. Her last performance there came before this gap, and now she returns to mark a loss that touched her deeply.
The Broadcast Details
The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards will air on CBS and MTV at 7:30 p.m. ET on Sept. 27.
The show brings together pop, hip-hop, and country talent across multiple performances. The tribute to Parton sits alongside tributes to George Michael and other artists who have shaped music.
Why This Tribute Matters
Parton’s death left a void in country music. Musgraves stepping in to honor her fills that space with respect and grief.
The tribute gives fans a chance to remember Parton’s career and her influence on generations of musicians. It also offers Musgraves a platform to express what she lost personally, having written about feeling a world less bright since Parton’s passing.
A Personal Tribute From a Friend
Musgraves’ words since Parton’s death have been direct. She has not hidden her pain.
That honesty makes the tribute feel earned rather than staged. Musgraves’ public grief, from her X posts to her Madison Square Garden address, shows she is still processing the loss.
What To Watch For
The Sept. 27 broadcast will be the first chance to see the tribute in full. The performance will be a highlight of a show packed with other acts, including Madonna opening the show for the first time in two decades.
The tribute is a fitting way to honor a legend whose music defined a generation.
Key Facts Box
- Date: Sept. 27
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Networks: CBS and MTV
- Tribute performer: Kacey Musgraves
- Guest performer: Madonna (opening)
- Other acts: Raye, Sombr, Teddy Swims, Gunna, Lisa, Shaboozey, Gener8ion, Sienna Spiro, Yung Lean
- Musgraves’ nomination: Best Country for “Dry Spell”
- Parton’s death: August
- Carl Dean’s death: March 2025
The Tribute’s Significance
- Musgraves’ first live appearance at the VMAs in five years
- Public acknowledgment of grief since Parton’s death
- Tribute to Parton’s music and legacy
The tribute is a tribute that honors Parton’s memory. Musgraves delivers it with sincerity and respect.
Source material: “Kacey Musgraves Will Lead Dolly Parton Tribute at 2026 VMAs,” Rolling Stone.
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