Kacey Musgraves honored the late country music legend during the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday night.
NEW YORK — A tribute to Dolly Parton was always destined to be part of the evening.
Musgraves celebrated the iconic singer with a moving rendition of Parton’s beloved classic “I Will Always Love You” at the 2026 MTV VMAs.
Parton’s unmistakable vibrato, heartfelt songwriting and dazzling stage costumes helped carry her from a modest cabin in Tennessee to international fame. She died of cancer in Nashville in August at age 80.
The tribute opened with archival footage of Parton introducing the 1974 song.
“I’d like to leave you fellas with a little bit of advice,” Parton said in the clip. “Don’t criticize your wife’s judgment. You just remember who she married. Just kidding; you. There’s a lot of truth in that and I would also like to say about life: I hope it treats you real kind and I hope that you have all that you ever dreamed of.”
Parton’s voice then filled the theater before the performance shifted seamlessly to Musgraves, who carried the song forward.
The two-hour MTV Video Music Awards ceremony is airing live on CBS from Los Angeles’ Peacock Theater.
The VMAs are also being simulcast on MTV and streaming on Paramount+ in the United States.
Here are more highlights from the awards show.
ALSO READ: Coast Guard Rescues Sailor After Boat Grounds Near Santa Rosa Island
Madonna opened the starry award show
Madonna kicked off the VMAs with her 2026 single “Bring Your Love,” joined by collaborator Sabrina Carpenter. Her opening words were: “It’s mother.”
Madonna quickly transformed the awards stage into a full-scale dance floor. Charli xcx later appeared from a nightclub bathroom to perform their revamped take on “Danceteria,” surrounded by dancers and celebrity guests including actor Debi Mazar, Sombr and Julia Garner.
The ceremony, delayed by 20 minutes because of a close NFL matchup between the Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys, got underway with plenty of energy.
Snoop Dogg, a 13-time VMAs nominee and three-time winner, took over as host soon afterward.
“Now that is an icon,” Dogg said of Madonna before adding a risqué joke: “She ain’t a virgin no more.”
Teyana Taylor then presented the first trophy of the night, with LISA winning Best Pop for “Dream,” featuring Kentaro Sakaguchi.
“Thank you MTV for this amazing award,” LISA said through tears. “All those late-night dreams brought me here today.”
The performances continued at a rapid pace. Raye delivered a throwback-soul medley that opened with “I Will Overcome” and flowed into “Where Is My Husband!” Bruno Mars offered a slower moment with “Dance With Me,” while Shaboozey brought his saloon-inspired hit “Cowgirl” to the stage before Gunna joined him for the country-rap crossover “High Noon.”
Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
