Dolly Parton cancels Dollywood event last minute over continued ‘health issues’
Dolly Parton canceled an appearance at her iconic Dollywood theme park after a doctor ordered her not to travel due to ongoing “health issues.”
“I’m still in Nashville, and I’m sorry about that,” the “9 to 5” songstress, 80, shared in a virtual appearance at the opening ceremony of the theme park’s new roller coaster, NightFlight Expedition, Friday, per video posted 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.”
“And I’m dehydrated,” Parton, who wore fairy wings, told the crowd. “And so my Nashville doctor clipped my wings, saying you ain’t traveling this week.”
“So I guess if your doctor tells you you ain’t traveling this week, you ain’t traveling this week,” she continued, explaining that she likes keeping her fans “in the loop” as she promised she would “on everything.”
The Grammy winner’s last public appearance was at the opening of her Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop ribbon-cutting ceremony in late June.
At the time, Parton appeared in good spirits as she stood outside the Cornersville, Tennessee, store.
The “I Will Always Love You” singer’s outing, however, was her first in months since her health battle started last year when she suffered from kidney stones in September.
She was scheduled to appear at Dollywood to announce a new attraction, but explained in a video that she was in recovery.
“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,’” Parton told the crowd.
Later that month, the “Jolene” singer announced she was postponing her Las Vegas residency due to “health challenges” and a “few procedures.”
She later decided to cancel the shows, sharing in a video posted in May that she would need time before being “up to stage performance level.”
“The good news is I’m responding really well to meds and treatments and I’m improving every day,” Parton explained.
“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.”
Additionally, the actress skipped her 80th birthday celebration this past January.
Parton, however, is continuing to work on her forthcoming Broadway production, “Dolly: A True Original Musical,” which she announced last month.
The hitmaker won’t star in the show, but she will be a part of the production and ensure the musical is told in her “own words and through the music that’s been part of [her] every step of the journey.”
“This really is a dream come true,” she continued. “I can’t wait to share it with all of you.”
