Dolly Parton has shared a candid update about her health after canceling a series of Las Vegas performances.
In a recent TikTok video, which was also posted to Instagram, the country music icon told viewers she had “some good news and a little bad news” regarding her condition.
“The good news is I’m responding really well to meds and treatments, and I’m improving every day,” Parton said, adding that the “bad news” is that it will take time before she is ready to return to the stage.
Parton explained that her current treatments have left her feeling “a little bit swimmy-headed,” making it difficult to perform at the level she expects of herself.
The singer, known for her elaborate stage presence, joked that balancing instruments, rhinestone outfits and “five-inch heels” while dizzy simply isn’t possible.
The update comes after months of health challenges that led her to postpone and eventually cancel the Vegas residency.
‘Rebuild my engine’
The issues stem in part from recurring kidney stones and related complications, which have required ongoing medical attention, though Parton has not confirmed the extent of her diagnosis.
In the video, Parton compared her recovery to restoring a classic car, saying she needs time to “rebuild my engine” before returning fully to work.
Despite the setback, she emphasized she is still staying active behind the scenes, continuing to record music and develop projects, including a Broadway musical set to open in New York later this year.
Social Media Reacts
Fans flooded the comment section with messages of support, many noting the singer’s effort to comfort them even while sharing difficult news.
One TikTok user wrote, “Dolly comforting US about her illness,” while another added their own well wishes, writing, “Get better, you national treasure.”
A third declared, “The way I’ve never heard a bad word [about] Dolly Parton and it will stay that way because this woman is an angel.”
“You’ll never lose your spark Queen,” one commenter wrote. “Your spirit is undeniable and thou shall be rebuilt.”
Parton also reflected on personal challenges over the past year, including the loss of her husband, Carl Dean, who died in March 2025 at age 82. Their relationship spanned nearly six decades after meeting in Nashville in 1964.
She acknowledged the emotional toll of anniversaries and holidays without him, while expressing gratitude for the support she received from fans.
She described her home filling with flowers, cards and letters during that period, crediting that outpouring of care as part of her healing process.
Even as she steps back from live performances, Parton made clear she is not slowing down entirely. She told fans she continues working on creative projects and remains optimistic about her recovery, noting that doctors have assured her that her conditions are treatable.
“I just want you to know I thank you for standing by me,” she said in the video, closing with a message of appreciation that mirrors the tone loyal fans have come to expect from her decades of sparkling in the spotlight.
Newsweek has reached out to representatives of Dolly Parton for comment via email.
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