Kacey Musgraves to Honor Dolly Parton at 2026 VMAs

Kacey Musgraves is scheduled to perform a tribute to Dolly Parton at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards on September 27, CBS and MTV announced. The ceremony is set to take place at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, with the performance planned as part of the awards show. The announcement comes after Musgraves publicly expressed grief following Parton’s death on August 25 at age 80. Musgraves also performed Parton songs during recent tour stops, including “Here You Come Again,” according to reports. The announced VMA appearance is planned, not yet performed. The ceremony will mark Musgraves’ return to the VMAs stage for the first time in five years. She performed “Star-Crossed” at the 2021 awards. Musgraves is also nominated for Best Country this year for “Dry Spell,” one of three VMA nominations she has received during her career, according to the reports. The tribute builds on earlier occasions when the two singers shared music. Musgraves performed with Parton at the 2019 Grammy Awards during a segment featuring Parton’s songs. Musgraves also took part in a tribute to Parton at the 2016 Country Music Association Awards.