Overview
- Parton announced her absence in a video on the Grand Ole Opry's Instagram, saying she wishes she could be there and will be sending her love.
- The "Opry Goes Dolly" show on Jan. 17 will honor her 1980s era with performances by Lainey Wilson, Vince Gill, Rhonda Vincent, and songwriter Trannie Anderson.
- The Opry outlined fan festivities including cupcakes, a larger-than-life birthday card to sign, photo opportunities with a Dolly impersonator, and Dolly-themed drinks.
- Entertainment Weekly reported a clarification from Parton's representative that she never planned to appear at the event.
- Her nonattendance follows recent health-related schedule changes, including postponing a Las Vegas residency to September 2026 and recovering from a kidney-stone-related infection.