Brandi Carlile, Melissa Etheridge, and More Sapphic Stars and Allies Pay Tribute to Dolly Parton
Dek: Everyone is coming together to mourn the loss of a true icon.
Ever since news broke of Dolly Parton’s death on Tuesday, August 25, social media has been an absolute flood of tributes, memories, and heartbreak. In addition to all the fans mourning the loss of an icon, friends and industry peers have struggled to find the words to express how much Parton meant to them, on both a personal level and a larger, global scale.
You can hardly find a corner of social media right now that doesn’t mention Parton. It’s fitting, considering the tremendous impact she had on so many facets of our lives. This round up of tributes barely scratches the surface, but let’s take a look at what sapphic celebrities and allies had to say about Parton’s legacy.
Brandi Carlile
Carlile penned a lengthy, emotional tribute to Parton, who she praised for taking a “risk” and accepting people for being gay so early in her career. “She never wavered on accepting anyone for who they were and who they were meant to be,” she wrote. “After I met her, I loved her for being obscenely generous, whip smart and possessing the kind of otherworldly discernment I’ll never stop chasing.”
Lily Tomlin
When news of Parton’s death broke, many people looked to her 9 to 5 co-stars, Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, to see what they had to say.
Tomlin shared a photo of her and Parton together, writing only, “No words,” next to a broken heart.
Jane Fonda
Fonda went more in depth with her tribute, noting that she was devastated to hear of Parton’s passing and “never knew anyone like her.”
“More than anyone I have ever known, Dolly will always be with us because she was so present, so powerful, so generous and playful that she is woven into all our lives and hearts forever,” Fonda wrote. “To her gay and trans fans, I want you to know that she loved you. You know that without me telling you. She loved all her fans and they are legion. And you know she doesn’t want y’all to mourn now. Dress up and celebrate her spirit.”
Miley Cyrus
Parton had a particularly meaningful relationship with Cyrus, her goddaughter. The two regularly spoke about their relationship and how close they stayed over the years. Parton even appeared in several episodes of Hannah Montana back in the day and have performed together on stage.
“The feeling of losing my Aunt Dolly is beyond what feels right to share,” Cyrus wrote on Wednesday. “Our most sacred moments were private and they’ll stay there behind the stage, beneath the glamour & between our hearts.
“What I KNOW is Dolly would want me to feel it, write a song about it, and then continue on and be strong. I have an angel by my side. I always have. One of our last conversations was about music and metamorphosis. I will always love her and want to make her proud. My heart breaks for the world, her family and friends who will mis her deeply. We’re in this loss together and we will see her in all of the most beautiful things.”
Melissa Etheridge
“I will strive the rest of my days to be as joyful and loving as she was. Her talent and gifts she gave us will live on for generations,” Etheridge wrote on X. “We are a better world because she walked among us. May she live in the stars of the night and in the light of our days.”
The singer later spoke more of Parton’s unflinching LGBTQ+ advocacy, writing, “You can just imagine how many lives she saved. You can just imagine how many young boys and girls were in their room going, ‘Hey, Dolly doesn’t judge me. Dolly wants me to be just who I am, and she’s just who she is.”
Maren Morris
Morris shared a video of Parton singing “Eagle When She Flies” with supergroup The Highwoman, which includes both Morris and Carlile.
“there will never be another,” she wrote. “@dollyparton was who we could all agree on. she was and is such a light.”
Kesha
Currently on tour, Kesha took a moment to talk about her own family’s legacy with Parton on Tuesday night. Her mother, Pebe Sebert, co-wrote a song Parton recorded back in 1978, “Old Flames Can’t Hold a Candle to You.” Decades later, Kesha re-recorded the song for her 2017 album, Rainbow, with Parton providing guest vocals on the track.
“Having such a legendary woman do this song with me and stand beside me, it made me really feel like God was on my side,” she said. “So in honor of her incredible legacy and her beautiful life, I’d like to sing the song that my mom wrote for her.”
Kelly Clarkson
“Dolly Parton had a way of making everyone feel special, and seen, and welcomed, and as if you were old friends,” Clarkson wrote. “I will miss her heard and her voice as I’m sure millions will.”
Joan Armatrading
“I absolutely loved and still love Dolly Parton. RIP Dolly. You will be massively missed,” Armatrading wrote.
Sophia Bush
“Whether she was loud or quiet, in rooms full of cameras or rooms where there were none, Dolly was an advocate for all of us. From her library that mailed (hundreds of!) millions of free childrenâs books, or her outspoken defense of women everywhere, or her allyship to the LGTBQ and Black communities, or her support of science that saves lives, she LOVED people. She chose not to be a billionaire and instead paid so much of what she could have kept for herself forward to millions of others,” Bush wrote. “Rest well, you Appalachian Angel @dollyparton. The world aches in your absence already. And my goodness itâs already less sparkly.”
Joan Jett
“Dolly was a one of a kind, altruistic, down to earth, musical genius. Working with her was one of the highlights of my career,” Jett wrote.
Sabrina Carpenter
Parton collaborated with Carpenter on the music video version of her 2024 song, “Please Please Please.” The former Disney star shared images from the video and film shoot, writing, “the only thing i could say after we first met was ‘she really is an angel walking the earth’ and ‘we look like we could be sisters!'”
“i will cherish our laughter and conversations and i will keep your wisdom, your playful outlook on life, and perfect sense of humor in my pocket for the rainy days,” she added. “there will never be another you and how lucky are we all to have experienced your singular magic as well as your once in a lifetime voice, songs, and heart. your light will be something the world will search forever to find again. i will always love you.”
Keke Palmer
“I’m devastated,” Palmer wrote, sharing a photo of her with Parton. “Truly.”
Kacey Musgraves
“Dolly. This really really hurts,” Musgraves wrote on X, later adding, “The world feels a lot less sparkly all of a sudden.”
Rosie OâDonnell
âThis earth angel has gone back to heaven where she came from,â OâDonnell shared. âheartbroken.â
Cyndi Lauper
âItâs hard for me to imagine the world without Dolly. Dollyâs heart was as big as her talent. She was not only a great singer/song writer/actress/TV star, Dolly also lived her art. She used her art, her fame and her money to help so many people,â Lauper wrote. âI canât even tell you how many times Iâve thought to myself, âWhat would Dolly do?â She was a great role model for all of us.â
Maggie Rogers
Rogers shared a musical tribute to Parton, calling her “one of the greatest songwriters of all time.”
“I played with her at Newport once and I felt like my chest was on fire I was so wildly awe struck,” she added. “thank you thank you a million times dolly.”
Jennifer Tilly
âRip Legend. We saw her in concert at the Hollywood Bowl a few years ago. She was so delightful and funny, and had a voice that could break hearts!â Tilly said. âSomehow you wanted to believe that Dolly would always be forever young, and never leave us.â
