Beloved country music great Dolly Parton died on Tuesday, August 25, at the age of 80 after a brief and private battle with cancer. The reverberations are still continuing. Most likely they will go on for weeks and months, maybe years. What Parton meant to so many prominent artists cannot be calculated. It was not just her singing and songwriting but the person herself. Parton was gracious, modest, hard-working, and grateful for every good thing that came her way. She was a magnificent role model for her fans and peers alike. In recognition of Dolly Parton's uniqueness, Taylor Swift paid tribute to her at the 2026 MTV VMA Awards on Sunday, September 27. What she said that star-studded evening was moving and memorable.
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It Was a Big Night for Swift
The singer won not only Video of the Year, per People, but she also hauled in the first Artist Director Honors. In addition, "Swift premiered the music video for her new single 'Patient Zero,' starring Dakota Johnson and Colin Farrell...."
Furthermore, she looked really spectacular. Swift was clad to the nines in a slinky black and while columnar gown with some strategic see-through panels. Her classic-with-a-twist fashion choice was ideal. As always, her appearance was positively regal.
However, it was Taylor Swift's lovely oration about Dolly Parton that practically stole the show.
Parton Was "The Ultimate Showgirl"
Taylor Swift spoke straight from her heart about Parton. Her honesty and genuine emotion were very touching as she talked earnestly about the late superstar.
Per the outlet, she said, "I want to thank and dedicate this award [for Video of the Year] to one person without whom this wouldn't be happening, and that person is the ultimate showgirl, Dolly Parton. Every single song that she wrote, her storytelling was so vivid and so rich. Listening to her songs, it's like watching the best music video you have ever seen in your life, every single time you hear what she's written. And she handled this thing with such grace and joy and love and gratitude for the fact that she got to do this, and everything that happened in her life or her career, she channeled back into love and gratitude and appreciation for her fans."
Swift added, "I am lucky I got to be one of them, and I will always be one of them. I think that we were all very lucky to share this planet with Dolly Parton for a time. And thank you for this amazing moment, I love you all."
