Dolly Parton has given her fans an update on her health, announcing the cancellation of her Las Vegas residency, which she had postponed for ten months, stating that “it’s going to take some time to get back to the level of stage performance.”
“I’ve got some good news and a little bad news,” the country icon shared in a video uploaded to Instagram on Monday. “The good news is that I’m responding really well to treatment and feeling better every day.”
“The bad news is it’s going to take a bit longer to reach that stage performance level because the meds and treatments have me feeling a bit light-headed. That’s what my grandmother used to say,” the “Always Love You” singer explained.
“And, of course, I can’t be all dizzy while carrying banjos and guitars in five-inch heels. I know I’ll be wearing them, along with those rhinestone-studded costumes, big hair, and my vibrant personality,” Parton quipped.
The star humorously compared herself to, “an old classic car that’s better than ever after restoration.”
“After checking under the hood, it turned out I needed to rebuild the engine, fix the transmission, and replace the oil pan. The shocks and pistons also needed work,” she added.
“I do need to change the spark plugs, because I can’t afford to lose my spark,” Parton commented. “I might be a bit eccentric, but my mental health is just fine.”
“I’ve dealt with kidney stones for a while now,” she said, noting that her immune system and digestive issues had gone haywire the past few years. “They’re working hard to get back on track.”
“Honestly, I’m still keeping busy, shooting videos, recording, and making trips to Dollywood. Plus, I’m working on opening a museum and hotel in Nashville later this year,” Parton emphasized.
“I also spend a lot of time writing and revising Broadway musicals. Dolly: A True Original Musical is set to launch in New York this fall or winter,” she mentioned, adding with a laugh, “I know some of you are thinking, ‘This gal is always promoting something,’ and you’re right. But that’s how you get things done!”
On a more serious note, she expressed her disappointment to fans who had tickets for her Vegas shows. “I’m sorry you won’t get to see me live. When you go to Vegas, I hope you have a blast and maybe someday I’ll see you in New York,” she continued.
“I hope to catch up with you all again eventually,” she said. “Your support means so much to me and my husband, Carl, who has been so cherished. We lost him in March 2025, and this past year has been tough for me.”
Parton reminisced, “The first year of everything—holidays, anniversaries, and the day he passed—has been hard. I will always love and miss him.”
“But your kindness truly helped me during this time,” she added. “From the bottom of my heart, I appreciate you. You’ve played a significant role in my healing.”
She wrapped up the video by saying, “I have fantastic doctors who assure me that I’m on the right track and that my illnesses are manageable, so I’m committed to following their guidance. Thank you for your support. I will always love you.”
In September, Parton had postponed her first trip to Las Vegas in 32 years due to “health issues.”
