A heartfelt tribute to Dolly Parton highlights how she paved the way for women in music with warmth and kindness, and how she made people feel comfortable and welcomed from the first meeting.

Kelly Clarkson notes that Parton’s influence runs through her own career choices and collaborations, describing Parton as 'so nice every time we ran into each other' and a 'beautiful soul.'

The reimagined duet of 9 to 5, created for the documentary Still Working 9 to 5, showcases a slower, more reflective arrangement that honors Parton’s legacy.

Tributes to Parton continue across the industry, including a posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award presented via prerecorded message at the Americana Honors & Awards."

Clarkson and Parton’s musical bond is evident from the 2022 ACM Awards, where Clarkson performed I Will Always Love You as a tribute to Parton, who hosted the ceremony.

Clarkson’s The Kelly Clarkson Show opened with a Parton-inspired Kellyoke performance of 9 to 5, signaling Parton’s enduring influence since the show’s debut in 2019.

Parton passed away on August 25, 2026, at 80 after a brief cancer battle in Nashville, with Clarkson and others mourning her and emphasizing how she made people feel special, seen, and welcomed like old friends.