Nicole Kidman Calls Dolly Parton an 'Extraordinary Light' — as Sandra Bullock Reflects on the Joy of Working With Her

Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock are remembering Dolly Parton with heartfelt stories following the country music icon’s death at 80.

Speaking at the London premiere of Practical Magic 2, Kidman described Parton as an “extraordinary light” and praised the woman behind the legendary career.

“She was so genuine and so philanthropic… what a songwriter, what a woman, and what a person who came from nothing and built herself,” Kidman said.

“Everything she did was extraordinary," she added.

The 59-year-old actress also shared a touching throwback family photo on Instagram Stories featuring Parton, herself, former husband Keith Urban and their daughters, Sunday Rose and Faith Margaret. The picture was taken at the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, where the “9 to 5” singer presented Urban with his prestigious honor in 2023.

“We will always love you, Dolly,” she wrote alongside the image.

Meanwhile, Bullock, who worked with Parton on the 2005 hit Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous, struggled to put her feelings into words.

“Oh my God. I worked with Dolly. I worked with Dolly,” she said.

“She’s so many things, and everyone’s honoring the most exquisite part of her. But she was someone that was absolutely underrated,” she continued.

“And only in her absence does everyone realize how brilliant she was and how much we need her. And there’s no one else left like her," she added.

The 62-year-old then reflected on the legacy Parton leaves behind, adding, “The responsibility of how to act and be as a human being. And I think she will. I think she will. She’s floating. She’s floating.”

She also recalled one of her favorite memories from filming Miss Congeniality 2 in Las Vegas.

“She came to Vegas, and she pulled her tour bus up next to mine—I think it was pink, of course,” Bullock told People, adding, “And I said, ‘Okay, so, Miss Parton, we’ve got a hotel and room for you that’s massive.’ And she goes, ‘No, I’ll stay in the bus.’”

“Then I’m sleeping on the bus,” the Speed star said.

She also remembered Parton’s incredible sense of humor while filming a chase scene in which her character, Gracie, tackled the singer after mistaking her for an impersonator.

“I was literally lying on top of her, and I didn’t feel comfortable with this,” Bullock recalled.

But the music icon quickly turned the awkward moment into comedy, telling her costar, “We’re going to put the Madonna-Britney kiss to shame.”

“Really, she was everything you’d want her to be and more,” The Unforgivable actress said.