HEALTHDolly Parton Abruptly Cancels Dollywood Appearance Over Ongoing 'Health Issues' as Fans Fear for the Country Singer's Well-Being: 'We Can't Lose Her'

Dolly Parton said her doctors 'clipped her wings' and instructed her not to travel amid her health issues.
Aug. 14 2026, Published 7:08 p.m. ET
Dolly Parton raised concern among fans after she missed the opening of a brand-new ride at her Dollywood amusement park amid ongoing medical issues.
"I'm still in Nashville and I’m sorry about that. I’m supposed to be there in person, like we planned," Parton, 80, apologized to her fans in a video posted by the Knoxville News Sentinel on Friday, August 14.
Dolly Parton addressed why she was absent from an event at Dollywood.
Dolly Parton Confirmed a 'Few Little Health Issues'

Dolly Parton promised to keep fans in the loop about her ongoing 'health' issues.
Parton was scheduled to attend the opening of NightFlight Expedition, a new roller coaster at her theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
In the footage, the "Jolene" singer donned sparkly fairy wings as she opened up about a "few little health issues."
"Sometimes I get a little dizzy, and I get dehydrated. And I’m dehydrated," she explained. "And so my Nashville doctor clipped my wings, saying you ain’t traveling this week. So I guess if your doctor tells you you ain’t traveling this week, you ain’t traveling this week. So, I like to keep all of you in the loop like I said I would, on everything."
Dolly Parton's Fans Sent Messages of Support

Fans rushed online to share their well-wishes for Dolly Parton.
Fans were immediately concerned for the Tennessee native's health, sharing their reactions to the announcement online.
"I think Dolly's health is a lot worse than we really know. Praying. ❤️❤️❤️," one fan wrote, while a second user said, "Queen Dolly we love you always and feel better soon 💜👑💜💕🦋🤠🌹."
"Everyone start praying! We can’t lose her!" a third added.
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Inside Dolly Parton's Health Issues

Dolly Parton had to cancel shows in May due to her health.
As OK! previously reported, Parton has faced significant health issues in the last few months.
In May, the "I Will Always Love You" singer was forced to cancel Dolly: Live in Las Vegas, a planned six-date residency event at Caesars Palace's Colosseum.
At the time, the singer explained that she "always had problems with [her] kidney stones," but more recently, her digestive and immune systems have gotten "all out of whack."
Dolly Parton Planned to 'Rebuild and Strengthen' Her Body

Dolly Parton said she was responding 'really well to medicine and treatments.'
She told her fans that her future shows would be placed on hold while she "rebuilt and strengthened" her body.
"The good news is I'm responding really well to meds and treatments, and I'm improving every day," Parton continued in the video. "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."
"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 concluded.


