NEWSBobby Brown Says Whitney Houston 'Loved' Singing Dolly Parton's Song: 'She Enjoyed It a Lot'
Bobby Brown recalled how Houston loved performing Dolly Parton's 'I Will Always Love You.'
Sept. 2 2026, Published 8:52 a.m. ET
Bobby Brown is remembering the connection between Whitney Houston and Dolly Parton, revealing the joy Houston had singing Parton's song.
Speaking of the mega hit "I Will Always Love You," Brown said, "[Houston] loved performing that song. [It] was always a beautiful time while she was on stage. She enjoyed it a lot."
Brown spoke with TMZ at LAX on August 31, several days after Parton's death at age 80.
Brown Said Parton Was One of the Greats
Brown said Parton was one of the great ones.
Brown was asked about Parton following her death from cancer on August 25.
"Well, we lost another great one," Brown said.
Parton's death prompted tributes from across the music and entertainment industries, with Brown among those praising the mark she left behind.
Brown Reflected on the Legacy Parton and Houston Left Behind
Brown said Houston and Parton had left enduring legacies.
The "Don't Be Cruel" hitmaker reflected on the mark Parton and Houston made during their careers.
"[They] will always be remembered for their contributions to music and entertainment," he declared. "They will be missed."
Brown also had some comforting words for Parton's family. "Stay strong," he said.
- Dolly Parton Said 'I'm Sure' Song 'I Will Always Love You' Will Be Played 'When I Die' as She Recalled Emotional Moment at Whitney Houston's Funeral
- Dolly Parton Revealed Which Song Will Play at Her Funeral More Than a Decade Before Her Death: 'It Was My Daddy's Favorite'
- Brad Paisley Fought Back Tears While Honoring Dolly Parton in Concert Tribute
Want OK! each day? Sign up here!
Whitney Had Previously Spoken Highly of Parton
Whitney praised Parton's writing and singing.
Houston's admiration for Parton was clear long before Brown's recent comments. During a 1993 interview with Rolling Stone, she praised the country legend.
"I think Dolly Parton is a h--- of a writer and a h--- of a singer," Houston said.
The "I Wanna Dance with Somebody" star also recalled feeling anxious about how Parton would respond to her version of the song.
"I was so concerned when I sang her song how she'd feel about it, in terms of the arrangement, my licks, my flavor," Houston said. "When she said she was floored, that meant so much to me."
The enormous public response to the recording also surprised Houston. She offered her own theory about why it resonated with listeners.
"I really think people were hungry for something that just had a melody and some good lyrics," she observed.
Parton Wrote the Song Almost Two Decades Before Houston's Cover
Whitney Houston covered 'I Will Always Love You.'
Parton wrote "I Will Always Love You" during her professional split from fellow country performer Porter Wagoner.
She first recorded the song in 1973, and it was released in 1974, nearly two decades before Houston's version appeared on The Bodyguard soundtrack.
Houston's recording became a worldwide hit, spending 14 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and winning Grammy Awards for Record of the Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.
