Dolly Parton, at 80 years old, has announced the cancellation of her Las Vegas residency, revealing that she still has 'some healing to do.' The legendary singer, known for hits like '9 to 5,' previously postponed the residency in September due to health problems, but had hoped to return to the stage soon.
Health Update
In a social media update, Parton shared both good and bad news regarding her health. 'The good news is I'm responding really well to meds and treatments and I'm improving every day. Bad news is it's gonna take me a little while before I'm up to stage performance level because some of the meds and treatments make me a little bit swimmy headed as my grandma used to say,' she said. She joked that she cannot perform while dizzy, especially while carrying banjos and guitars in five-inch heels, which she insists on wearing.
Ongoing Kidney Stone Issues
The country icon's health struggles appear to be linked to her ongoing kidney stone problem. She described the issue graphically, noting that doctors have been 'scraping' more stones out of her than a quarry. This has affected her immune and digestive systems, which she says have become 'out of whack' and need strengthening.
Postponed Shows and Fan Reactions
The Las Vegas residency was originally scheduled for December 4-13, 2025, and later rescheduled for September 2026. When the shows were first announced in June 2025, thousands of fans clamored for tickets to see her perform six nights at Caesars Palace. Parton expressed her apologies to ticket holders, urging them to still visit Las Vegas and not cancel their trips.
Personal Reflections
Parton also opened up about the loss of her husband, Carl Dean, who passed away at age 82 in March 2025. She admitted the year without him has been 'hard,' but said, 'I will always love him and I will always miss him.' She thanked fans for helping her heal from the loss and shared a lighthearted story about Dean reminding her she's 'not getting any younger,' to which she replied that plastic surgeons keep her from aging.
Future Plans
Despite the cancellation, Parton remains optimistic, noting that her doctors have assured her everything is treatable. She is focusing on completing her hotel and museum projects, working on her musical biopic, and recording new music. 'Happy heart is like good medicine,' she said, signing off with her characteristic humor and grace.
