Following the news of Dolly Parton‘s death, celebrities everywhere are paying tribute to the global icon.
Parton, known for hit songs like “Jolene,” “9 to 5” and “I Will Always Love You,” and her roles in films such as Steel Magnolias and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, died peacefully in Nashville on Tuesday, a rep announced. She was 80. One of her nephews, Bryan Seaver, recorded a video at her request to announce the tragic news.
“This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality,” he said. “As her head of security for more than two decades, a role my father Larry held before me, I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven’t truly felt it until now.”
Parton’s reps told People she died after “brief battle with cancer.”
Her death comes after it was revealed in September that she would postpone a set of Las Vegas concerts due to “some health challenges.” The Hollywood Reporter later reported that Parton would miss the Governors Awards, where she was to receive the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in November. Parton also canceled scheduled Las Vegas residency dates for September in May.
And in recent months, Parton publicly addressed her health issues to her fans, telling them she was OK.
Following Parton’s death, numerous celebrities took to social media to share tributes honoring Parton, many of whom include musicians and actors who had worked with Parton before.
Billy Ray Cyrus, who became close friends with Parton in 1992 following his breakout hit “Achy Breaky Heart,” shared a lengthy tribute on Instagram. Parton is also the Godmother to Miley Cyrus.
(Excerpt) Read more in: The Hollywood Reporter