Country music icon Dolly Parton was a no-show at her beloved Dollywood theme park after doctors advised her against travelling due to ongoing "health issues."
Rather than attending in person, the 80-year-old singer made a virtual appearance for the launch ceremony of Dollywood theme park's latest roller coaster. DailyStar reports this was the NightFlight Expedition on August 14.
Dolly's Explanation
Dolly explained: "I'm still in Nashville, [Tennessee], and I'm sorry about that," according to footage shared by Knoxville News Sentinel and the Tennessean.
"I'm supposed to be there in person, like we planned," she continued, "now I've told you before, all my fans, that I have had a few little health issues. And sometimes I get a little dizzy, and I get dehydrated."
This followed Dolly's revelation that she was planning to head to Broadway following her health scare, reports the Express US.
Doctor's Orders
The Grammy-winning performer went on, explaining that she was "dehydrated" while sporting fairy wings.
"And so my Nashville doctor clipped my wings, saying you ain't traveling this week," Dolly revealed. "So I guess if your doctor tells you you ain't traveling this week, you ain't traveling this week."
Recent Public Appearances
Dolly's most recent public outing was at the launch of her Dolly's Tennessean Travel Stop ribbon-cutting ceremony in late June. During her appearance, the 9-to-5 performer appeared to be in high spirits outside the Cornersville, Tennessee, shop. Her latest public appearance represented the first in months since her health struggles commenced last year, after she endured kidney stones in September 2025.
The Jolene hitmaker was due to attend Dollywood to unveil the newest attraction, but she clarified in a video that she was recuperating.
"Turns out there was an infection, and the doctor said, 'You don't need to be traveling around this minute, so you need a few days to get better,'" Dolly told the gathered crowd.
Previous Health Revelation
In May, Dolly revealed through a video message released in May that she had chosen to axe her rearranged Las Vegas residency performances because she would require time before being "up to stage performance level."
She went on to elaborate: "The good news is I'm responding really well to meds and treatments and I'm improving every day. I'm doing really well, and they assure me that everything I have is treatable, so I'm going with that, and I just want you to know I thank you for standing by me and that I will always love you."
