Dolly Parton cancels Dollywood visit for a surprise virtual appearance amid health issues
PIGEON FORGE, TENNESSEE: Dolly Parton canceled an appearance at her Dollywood theme park, appearing virtually at the opening ceremony for the park’s new NightFlight Expedition roller coaster after a Nashville doctor advised her not to travel because of ongoing “health issues.”
Parton also explained to the crowd that she had been experiencing dizziness and dehydration. She has been dealing with health issues for nearly a year, including kidney stones, an infection, dizziness and dehydration, also resulting in the cancellation of her Las Vegas residency.
Dolly Parton opens up about her ongoing health issues
“I’m still in Nashville, and I’m sorry about that,” Parton shared during the virtual appearance, adding, “I’m supposed to be there in person, like we planned.” Wearing fairy wings, she explained that she had previously told fans about having “a few little health issues."
“I’m dehydrated,” she told the crowd and added that her Nashville doctor had “clipped my wings,” telling her, “you ain’t traveling this week.” Parton acknowledged that if a doctor tells you not to travel, “you ain’t traveling this week,” while explaining that she wanted to keep her fans “in the loop” and promised to do so “on everything.”
Dollywood is located in Tennessee, about a three-hour drive from Nashville. Her last public appearance was at the opening of Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop in late June, where she appeared in good spirits outside Cornersville.
Her appearance came after months of health concerns. In September, Parton suffered from kidney stones and later revealed that there had been an infection. She skipped a Dollywood appearance that month and explained that her doctor again advised her not to travel while she recovered.
Later that month, she postponed her Las Vegas residency because of “health challenges” and “a few procedures.” In May, she canceled the shows again, explaining that she needed time before being “up to stage performance level.”
“The good news is I’m responding really well to meds and treatments, and I’m improving every day,” Parton explained at the time, adding, “I’m doing really well, and they assure me that everything I have is treatable.” She also skipped her 80th birthday celebration in January.
Dolly Parton continues work despite health setbacks
Parton is continuing work on her forthcoming Broadway production, ‘Dolly: A True Original Musical,’ which she announced last month. Although she will not star in the show, she will remain involved in the production and ensure the musical is told in her “own words and through the music” that has been part of her journey.
“This really is a dream come true,” she continued, adding, “I can’t wait to share it with all of you.” Her health also prompted concern from her sister Freida, who posted on Facebook on October 7, 2025, asking people to pray for Dolly.
Freida later clarified that she did not intend to make the singer’s condition “sound so serious,” describing it as “nothing more than a little sister asking for prayers for her big sister.”
Her sister Stella also addressed the situation, emphasizing that the singer was “seeking treatment for kidney stones.” She later responded to criticism over not posting about Dolly’s health, saying those who attacked her were not “really fans.”
Parton has also faced personal losses. Her husband, Carl Dean, died at 82, after which she briefly stepped away from the spotlight and music to mourn. She also lost her brother Coy “Denver” Parton, who died on July 23.
