Dolly Parton revealed the cancelation of her entire Las Vegas residency amid ongoing issues with her health.
The country music legend broke the news to her roughly 8.4 million followers May 4 in an Instagram video message. Parton’s appearances had been delayed to September 2026 back in October 2025 because of an unspecified health issue, though the singer revealed she had been suffering from a kidney stone in September 2025, according to People.
“Well, hey there, it’s Dolly, and I’m here to give you an update on a few things going on in my life,” she said.
“First, it’s concerning my health — and I have some good news and a little bad news.”
“But the good news is I’m responding really well to meds and treatments, and I’m improving every day. Now, the bad news is that it’s gonna take me a little while before I’m up to stage performance level because some of the meds and treatments make me a little swimmy-headed, as my grandma used to say,” Parton said.
She injected her usual light-hearted humor into the message, telling fans that she couldn’t be “dizzy carrying around banjos, guitars and such on five-inch heels — and you know I’m gonna be wearing them!”
“Not to mention all those heavy rhinestone outfits, the big hair and my big, uh, personality. That would make anybody swimmy-headed,” Parton quipped.
The country singing sensation used the analogy of an antique car to explain her current health crisis.
AUSTIN, TEXAS – MARCH 18: Dolly Parton performs on stage at ACL Live during Blockchain Creative Labs’ Dollyverse event at SXSW during the 2022 SXSW Conference and Festivals on March 18, 2022 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for SXSW)
“When they raised the hood on this old antique, they realized that I need to rebuild my engine and that my transmission is slipping, my oil pan is leaking, my muffler’s busted and my shocks and pistons need to be replaced,” she said.
“And for sure, my spark plugs need to be changed, because you know, as well as I know, that I can’t lose my spark!”
Parton continued, “I know I’m still crazy, but they didn’t mention anything about my mental health!”
She dove into some details, telling fans a bit more about what she’s been going through while out of the spotlight.
She admitted to having issues with kidney stones, and said “they dig more stones out of me a year than the rock quarry in Rockwood, Tennessee!” (RELATED: Tennessee Governor Bill Lee Declares ‘Dolly Parton Day’ In Honor Of The Star’s 80th Birthday)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 23: Dolly Parton performs during halftime in the game between the Washington Commanders and the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on November 23, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
Putting the jokes aside for a moment, Parton admitted her immune system and digestive system “got all out of whack over the past couple of — three years, and they’re working real hard on rebuilding and strengthening those.”
The singer promised she’s working on big things, including the opening of her Nashville, Tennessee, museum and a musical set to debut on Broadway at the tail end of 2026.
The star made no mention of rescheduling her canceled Las Vegas residency dates.