The tribute followed news of Parton’s death at age 80 on August 25. Her passing prompted remembrances from musicians, entertainers and public figures around the world, reflecting a career that crossed country, pop, film and philanthropy.

Grande’s tribute took place before her main performance rather than during the regular concert set. The choice kept the focus on Parton and one of the songs most closely connected to her songwriting legacy.

Parton wrote and originally recorded I Will Always Love You in the 1970s. The song later reached an even wider audience through Whitney Houston’s 1992 recording.

The London moment added Grande to the growing number of artists honoring Parton and her decades of influence on popular music.

At the 1994 Grammy Awards, Houston’s recording won Record of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female. The awards recognized the enormous success of her version, while producer David Foster also received recognition for his work on the track.

Parton’s absence from the Song of the Year category came down to eligibility rules. She had first released I Will Always Love You in 1974, when it became a major country hit. Because the composition had already been released years earlier, it did not qualify under the rules in place when Houston’s version became eligible.

Grammy standards involving older songs have changed over time, creating different outcomes for other revived classics.

The situation remains an unusual chapter in Grammy history, especially considering how strongly the song is associated with both Parton’s songwriting and Houston’s landmark performance.

During the appearance, the singer addressed the attention surrounding his major weight loss. In comments made during the show, he rejected speculation that Ozempic was behind the change and pointed instead to adjustments in his diet, exercise routine and overall lifestyle. He approached the subject with the self-deprecating humor that has become part of his public personality.

The monologue also moved into politics, with Jelly Roll delivering jokes involving President Donald Trump and other topics in the news. His guest-hosting stretch gave the country star a different kind of spotlight outside his usual music performances.

The week also featured a varied lineup of guests, including Glen Powell, Henry Winkler, Nathan Fillion, Leslie Mann and Stevie Nicks, along with musical appearances from Juicy J, Project Pat and Lecrae.

For Jelly Roll, the hosting run added another television milestone to a career that continues to extend beyond country music.

The Opry announced the special tribute as part of a wider remembrance of Parton’s life and career. The Nashville institution had a long connection with the singer, who became an Opry member in 1969 and remained closely associated with its history for more than five decades.

The tribute is set to feature performances celebrating songs from Parton’s extensive catalog. Carly Pearce, whose own career has strong ties to Parton and Dollywood, is among the artists connected to the event.

Parton last performed at the Grand Ole Opry in 2019, when the venue celebrated her 50th anniversary as a member.

Her career included country standards such as Jolene, Coat of Many Colors and I Will Always Love You, along with major success in film, television and philanthropy.

The Opry tribute adds to the many public remembrances recognizing Parton’s influence on country music and popular culture.

In a message shared after Parton’s death, Cyrus reflected on the close relationship they built over the years. She described Parton as her Aunt Dolly and explained that many of their most meaningful memories would remain private, keeping part of their bond away from the public spotlight.

Cyrus also recalled one of their final conversations, which centered on music, change, and finding a way forward. She said Parton would have encouraged her to work through grief by creating music and continuing with strength.

Their connection began when Cyrus was young and grew into both a family bond and a creative partnership. Over the years, they appeared together on television, performed onstage, and collaborated musically.

Parton’s influence extended across generations of artists, and Cyrus’ tribute highlighted the personal side of a relationship that had long been visible to fans.

Speaking from the stage, Styles thanked the musicians who have inspired him over the years and gave Parton a special acknowledgment following her death Tuesday at age 80. He then played Parton’s original recording of I Will Always Love You as fans across the arena sang along and raised their phones.

The tribute came late in the concert, shortly before Styles performed Sign of the Times. Parton first released I Will Always Love You in 1974, when it became a No. 1 country hit. Whitney Houston later introduced the song to a new global audience with her 1992 version.

Styles also changed up his usual tour setlist for the Madison Square Garden opener, bringing back older songs and giving The Waiting Game its live debut.

President Donald Trump announced the tribute through a presidential proclamation, directing flags to remain lowered until sunset on September 1. The order covers the White House, federal buildings and grounds, military installations, naval stations and U.S. diplomatic facilities overseas.

The proclamation paid tribute to Parton’s decades-long career and her place in American culture. Over the years, she became known not only for her music, but also for her work in film, television and songwriting.

Her legacy also includes extensive charitable work. One of her best-known projects, the Imagination Library, has provided books to millions of young children and expanded far beyond its original roots in Tennessee.

The half-staff order adds a formal national tribute to the many public commemorations that have followed Parton’s death.

In her tribute, Beyoncé reflected on the opportunity to work with Parton and described the experience as something she would always treasure. The message also highlighted Parton’s individuality and the impact she made across generations of music.

The two artists became directly connected through Beyoncé’s 2024 album Cowboy Carter. Parton appeared on the project, including the Dolly P interlude that leads into Beyoncé’s interpretation of Jolene. The new version kept the recognizable foundation of Parton’s 1973 classic while changing much of the lyrical perspective.

Parton was also featured in the introduction to Tyrant, another track from Cowboy Carter. Her involvement helped connect the album’s contemporary approach with a familiar voice from country music history.

Beyoncé’s tribute reflects a musical relationship that brought together two artists from different generations and backgrounds while recognizing Parton’s broad cultural reach.

In a message honoring the country music icon, Carpenter reflected on Parton’s humor, wisdom and distinctive outlook on life. The tribute included memories and photos from their time together, highlighting how meaningful it was for Carpenter to work with an artist she had admired for years.

Their musical connection reached listeners in 2025, when Parton joined Carpenter for a new version of Please Please Please. The collaboration appeared on the deluxe edition of Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet and was accompanied by a black-and-white music video inspired by the road-movie style of Thelma & Louise.

Parton had also spoken warmly about Carpenter, noting similarities between their voices and playfully suggesting they could be related.

Carpenter’s remembrance adds a personal perspective to the wider tributes recognizing Parton’s decades of songwriting, recording and influence across country and popular music.

In a tribute shared as part of a celebration of Parton’s career, Swift praised the country icon for building a legacy that reaches far beyond any single genre. Her message highlighted Parton’s songwriting, distinctive voice and ability to connect with listeners across decades.

Parton’s career has stretched from country classics to major pop culture moments, while songs such as Jolene and I Will Always Love You have remained familiar to audiences around the world. She has also become known for philanthropy, business ventures and her support of literacy through the Imagination Library.

Swift’s tribute reflects the influence Parton continues to have on artists who followed her. Both performers built their early careers with strong ties to country music before reaching wider audiences.

For Parton, that enduring connection across generations remains an important part of a career spanning more than six decades.