Country music icon Dolly Parton, 80, canceled a planned in-person appearance at her Dollywood theme park on Friday because of ongoing health issues.
The songstress made a virtual appearance instead from Nashville to celebrate the grand opening of a new rollercoaster called NightFlight Expedition, according to the Knoxville News Sentinel.
Dollywood is located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, situated a little over three hours away from Nashville.
Dressed in a pink dress and shimmering fairy wings, Parton addressed gathered fans via a video broadcast on a large screen.
"I'm still in Nashville, and I'm sorry about that," Parton explained in the video message. "I'm supposed to be there in person, like we planned. Now I've told you before, all my fans, that I have had a few little health issues."
The singer shared that she sometimes experiences feeling "a little dizzy" and "dehydrated."
"And I'm dehydrated. And so my personal doctor has kind of clipped my wings saying, 'You ain't traveling this week,'" Parton told the audience. "So I guess if your doctor tells you you ain't traveling this week, you ain't traveling this week."
Towards the end of the video clip, Parton expressed that she likes to keep fans "in the loop, like I said I would, on everything."
Fan Concerns and Residency Cancellation
Her last-minute cancellation sparked concern among fans on social media. Writing on Instagram, one fan penned, "I'm so, so concerned about her health." Another fan posted, "Queen Dolly we love you always and feel better soon."
Daily Mail reached out to representatives for Parton for comment, but has yet to hear back.
The Dollywood cancellation follows an earlier schedule adjustment in May, when the songstress canceled her six-date Las Vegas residency titled Dolly: Live at Caesars Palace's Colosseum.
Those concert dates had originally been scheduled for later this year in September. At the time, Parton cited undisclosed "health challenges" as the reason for calling off the performances.
Parton had initially been set to kick off the Las Vegas residency in December 2025, but previously announced she had to "postpone" the residency to September 2026 due to "some health challenges."
Kidney Stones and Medical Treatment
Shortly after announcing the Las Vegas cancellation, the star shared a detailed update with her social media followers regarding her medical condition.
Parton explained that she "always had problems with my kidney stones." She added that her immune system and digestive system "got all out of whack" over the past three years and needed to be "rebuilt and strengthened."
"The good news is I'm responding really well to meds and treatments and I'm improving every day," Parton wrote to followers.
"Now, the bad news is, it's gonna take me a little while before I'm up to stage performance level because some of the meds and treatments make me a little bit 'swimmy headed' as my grandma used to say," she continued.
"And of course, I can't be dizzy carrying around banjos, guitars and such on five-inch heels. And you know that I'm going to be wearing them!" Parton added.
While admitting at the time that she "has some healing to do," she reassured fans that she was surrounded by "great doctors," stating, "I'm doing really well and they assure me that everything I have is treatable, so I'm going with that."
Recent Public Appearances and Personal Loss
Back in June, Parton made her first public appearance since canceling her Las Vegas residency when she returned to the spotlight for the opening of Dolly's Tennessean Travel Stop in Cornersville, Tennessee.
Stepping onto the stage to address the crowd, she said, "Well, the doors are open and I could not be prouder. Whether you are hauling loads, hauling the family, or just passing through, we built this place for you."
She also took a lighthearted swipe at rival travel stop chain Buc-ee's, joking to attendees, "I'm sure some of you want to know why I wanted a truck stop. Well, I couldn't leave it to beavers."
Earlier this year in March, she attended Dollywood's 41st season opening day celebration. Addressing the crowd, per WLOS News 13, she said, "I've been up to a lot. I've not been touring, as you know. I've had a few little health issues, and we're taking good care of them."
Parton also opened up candidly about the loss of her late husband, Carl Dean, who passed away last year at age 82 on March 3, 2025.
"I just kind of got worn down and worn out, grieving over Carl and a lot of other little things going on," Parton expressed, adding, "I just got myself kind of where I needed to build myself back up spiritually, emotionally, and physically. But, all is good. It didn't slow me down."
Grand Ole Opry Concert and Family Loss
Parton previously raised concerns among fans after she did not attend her 80th birthday concert at the Grand Ole Opry in January, making only a virtual appearance at the 2026 BRIT Awards.
Her absence from the Grand Ole Opry 80th birthday tribute event prompted speculation, though a source told Daily Mail that her non-attendance was not medical related.
A representative for Parton clarified: "She was never intending to be there and she was never promoted to be there, so she's not pulling out of anything. She was never going."
In January, shortly before her 80th birthday, Parton discussed health worries during an interview with People magazine.
"People say, 'Well, you're going to be 80 years old.' Well, so what? Look at all I've done in 80 years. I feel like I'm just getting started," she told the publication. "I know that sounds stupid, but unless my health gives way, which right now I seem to be doing fine."
The singer's recent health update comes during a period of personal loss for her family. Last month, it was revealed that her brother Coy "Denver" Parton passed away at age 82 on July 23, following her brother's passing in July.
