Dolly Parton was recently unable to attend a planned Dollywood event in person due to persistent health concerns.
At 80 years old, the iconic singer had intended to participate in the launch of the amusement park’s latest roller coaster, NightFlight Expedition, set for Friday, August 13. However, on strict advice from her medical team, she had to cancel her physical appearance at the event.
Instead of being there in person, Parton greeted her fans via a virtual appearance during the opening ceremony, as reported by various media sources.
In a heartfelt video message, Parton stated, “I’m still in Nashville, and I’m sorry about that.”
Dolly Parton has been on the mend due to health issues. Earlier in September 2025, she stunned fans by missing a visit to her beloved Dollywood theme park, meant to mark the debut of the Night Flight Expedition Ride. While Parton couldn’t be there physically, she connected with her audience through a recorded video message. “Hello Dollywood! It’s me,” she cheerfully announced to her eager supporters. […]
“I’m supposed to be there in person, like we planned,” she said. “Now I’ve told you before, all my fans, that I have had a few little health issues. And sometimes I get a little dizzy, and I get dehydrated.”
The “Jolene” singer, who was wearing fairy wings, continued, “And I’m dehydrated. And so my Nashville doctor clipped my wings, saying you ain’t traveling this week.”
She concluded, “So I guess if your doctor tells you you ain’t traveling this week, you ain’t traveling this week.”
Parton promised to keep her fans updated after missing the Dollywood event, which was located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee — a three-hour drive from Nashville.
Dolly Parton. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
In June, Parton made a rare public appearance at the opening of her Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop after previously sharing details of her health struggles.
The Grammy winner announced in May that she was postponing her Las Vegas residency over health concerns.
“I am here to give you an update on a few things going on in my life,” she began in a social media video shared last month. “First, it’s concerning my health. And I have some good news and a little bad news. The good news is I’m responding really well to meds and treatments and I’m improving every day.”
Dolly Parton made a rare public appearance at Dollywood following her recent health scares. “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, 80, told fans on Friday, March 13, while celebrating a new season of […]
The singer continued, “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. And of course, I can’t be dizzy carrying around banjos, guitars and such on five-inch heels.”
Parton jokingly described herself as a “classic car” that needed some restoration and said she was determined to be back “better than ever” after her recovery.
“When they raised the hood on this old antique, they realized that I need to rebuild my engine and that my transmission is slipping, my oil pan is leaking, my muffler is busted and my shocks and pistons need to be replaced, and for sure, my spark plugs need to be changed,” Parton said. “My immune system and my digestive system got all out of whack over the past couple three years, and they’re working real hard on rebuilding and strengthening those and hopefully I’ll be up to snuff again soon.”