Eminem has shared a letter he received from Dolly Parton after the country music icon died at the age of 80 following a short battle with cancer. The rapper, 53, posted the note on social media, revealing that Parton had written to him when he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2022.
Letter revealed connection
The letter, posted to Instagram, read: "Marshall (Eminem) Congratulations on your induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Your performance was amazing and everybody said so. Even though I don't know a lot about rap music, I've come to know that you are the very best at it."
Parton continued: "Aside from that I hope what I have to say will not seem weird or strange to you but I have always felt some unexplained connection to you like I know you somehow. I had hoped to meet you at the show but you know how nuts those things are, personally I hate 'em and I missed my chance but maybe someday we'll meet. In the meantime, keep doing what you're doing because you do it so well and no matter how complex your world may be just know you are very special and touch people in ways you don't even know. With love & respect, Dolly Parton."
Eminem's tribute
In the caption of the post, Eminem expressed regret that they never met in person but paid tribute to Parton. He wrote: "I’m sorry we never got a chance to meet, but getting this note from Dolly really had a an impact on me. She definitely didn’t have to take the time to do it. Even for a kid who mostly listened to rap music, she was an icon. A superstar in every sense. Rest easy Dolly. And thank you for the kind words."
Parton was also inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame at the same time as Eminem, alongside Lionel Richie and Duran Duran. She initially said she would "respectfully bow out" of the vote but later accepted, saying: "I am honoured and humbled by the fact that I have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Of course I will accept it gracefully. Thanks to everyone that voted for me and to everyone at the @rockhall. I will continue to work hard and try to live up to the honor."
Death announced
Parton, known for hits such as 9 to 5, I Will Always Love You and Jolene, died on Tuesday, her nephew Bryan Seaver announced on Instagram. "I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven’t truly felt it until now," he said. "It is an honour, an honour that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness."
Representatives confirmed the singer's death followed a "brief battle with cancer," with the type not disclosed. The statement said: "After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones." Her death came four days after she told fans she had been struggling health-wise following the death of her husband Carl Dean last year.
