Kelly Clarkson Recalls ‘Personal’ Bond With ‘Beautiful Soul’ Dolly Parton

Kelly Clarkson is looking back on the special bond she shared with the late Dolly Parton almost a month after the icon passed. The Kelly Clarkson Recalls ‘Personal’ Bond With ‘Beautiful Soul’ Dolly Parton first appeared on The Blast

Kelly Clarkson is looking back on the special bond she shared with the late Dolly Parton. 

The passing of the iconic country music legend prompted a heartfelt tribute from Clarkson, who reflected on the profound impact the music pioneer had both on and off the stage. 

In addition to saying goodbye to the music legend, Clarkson also said goodbye to her talk show, “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” after an iconic seven-season run. 

Kelly Clarkson Paid A Heartfelt Tribute To The Late Country Icon

Clarkson paid homage to Parton’s extraordinary character and musical trail, while on “TODAY,” recalling the deep connection they shared whenever their paths crossed.

She celebrated the late star as a “pioneer” for women in the music industry. Recalling their very first meeting, the talk show host noted that Parton possessed an immediate, welcoming warmth that made them feel like lifelong friends. 

“She was just very cool as a human, not only as a musician,” she said, while also describing her as a “beautiful soul.” 

“But on a personal note, she was so nice every time we ran into each other, like she was just so cool,” she added.

Clarkson, who launched the inaugural “Kellyoke” segment on her talk show in 2019 with a rendition of “9 to 5,” recalled feeling stunned when asked to perform “I Will Always Love You” in Parton’s honor at the 2022 ACM Awards.

She admitted that she was initially terrified to tackle such a legendary song, and explained that she gladly accepted the invitation out of pure admiration for the artist.

That same year, the pair officially joined forces to record a duet version of “9 to 5” for the documentary “Still Working 9 to 5” in a full-circle moment.

Dolly Parton Was Honored During The Emmys

Widespread grief across the entertainment industry continues to surface during major award shows as Hollywood honors Parton’s lasting personal and cultural impact. 

During the 2026 Emmy Awards ceremony, Sally Field took the stage to present a memorial tribute honoring Parton. She reflected on their decades-long friendship that began while filming “Steel Magnolias,” and spoke warmly about the affection she carried for the late star throughout her life.

“If there are truly angels on Earth, then we just lost one, Dolly Parton,” she said, per The Blast.

Field’s tribute highlighted the profound loss felt across Hollywood as former colleagues continue to celebrate Parton’s warmth and enduring legacy.

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The Late Country Star Delivered Emotional Pre-Recorded Acceptance Speech

Continuing the narrative of tributes following her passing, Parton’s own voice recently echoed across an industry gathering as she accepted a major career honor posthumously.

At the Americana Music Association’s honors ceremony, a pre-recorded video message played as Parton was posthumously presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Recorded prior to her passing at 80, the message showed the music icon expressing gratitude for her roots and celebrating the genre that shaped her career.

“Well, hey, it’s Dolly. I’m honored to be receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Americana Music Association,” she said, per The Blast.

The message closed on a deeply touching note as she signed off with her famous phrase, saying, “It’s a great honor truly, and just know that I will always love you.”

Dolly Parton’s Sister Addressed The Perceived Absence Of Personal Support From Peers

After Dolly’s passing, her sister, Stella Parton, spoke out about the quiet treatment her family received from fellow industry peers.

During an appearance on “CBS Mornings,” Stella revealed that she received no direct messages from fellow entertainers in the two weeks after her sister’s death.

While fans and public figures widely posted public tributes across media platforms, Stella noted that her personal interactions with Nashville colleagues were surprisingly absent.

“I haven’t had one condolence from anyone — anybody that I know, entertainers that I know,” she revealed, per The Blast. “Nobody. Not one.”

She also reflected on why industry peers might be staying away and suggested that her outspoken social media activism and political commentary might be driving a wedge between her and other country artists.

Kelly Clarkson Reflected On Her Personal Evolution As Her Talk Show Concludes

While navigating the loss of the iconic singer, Clarkson has also looked back on how her daytime television show provided stability through major life shifts.

As “The Kelly Clarkson Show” prepared to air its final episode on August 31 following a seven-season run, the three-time Grammy winner opened up about her personal journey throughout the series. 

According to The Blast, she reflected on the show’s debut in 2019 and noted that navigating life challenges alongside global events like the pandemic required constant adaptation.

Clarkson also shared that hosting the NBC series offered her a grounding sense of purpose during difficult moments, including her divorce from Brandon Blackstock, who later passed away from cancer in 2025. 

The Kelly Clarkson Recalls ‘Personal’ Bond With ‘Beautiful Soul’ Dolly Parton first appeared on The Blast