Shania Twain is mourning Dolly Parton while reflecting on how the late country music icon influenced her life. The Shania Twain Makes Heartbreaking Admission About Dolly Parton first appeared on The Blast

Shania Twain is mourning Dolly Parton while reflecting on how the late country music icon influenced her life both onstage and away from the spotlight. Twain praised Parton for remaining loyal to her vision throughout her legendary career and empowering other women to follow their own paths without apologizing.

The emotional tribute comes weeks after Parton died at age 80 following a brief battle with cancer. Although the “Jolene” singer kept her diagnosis private, her team revealed that she continued developing new projects until her final days.

Shania Twain Says Dolly Parton Empowered Her

While promoting her collaboration with Candy Crush’s new Music Season, Twain spoke to Us Weekly about the qualities she admired most in Parton. “She is the ultimate example of being true to oneself in every way,” Twain said. “She never abandoned her vision of things and her perspective on things and always fulfilled them all unapologetically and so courageously.”

She added, “I always admired that so much in her, and it’s empowered me a lot in my own life and in my career, but also in my personal life.”

Parton’s influence reached far beyond her distinctive voice and songwriting ability. Her carefully cultivated image, business decisions, and commitment to her Tennessee roots helped her build a career that lasted seven decades. For Twain, that confidence made Parton an example of how an artist could evolve without abandoning the qualities that initially made her unique.

The Country Star Admits ‘We Didn’t Get Enough’ Of Dolly

Parton died peacefully in Nashville, Tennessee, on August 25, according to an official announcement shared by her representatives. Her team said she had faced a brief battle with cancer but did not disclose the specific type.

Twain said Parton’s presence is already deeply missed. “Dolly’s going to be very missed because we can never get enough of Dolly, and we didn’t get enough of Dolly,” Twain said. “She’s a big loss and she’s on my mind.”

Parton’s death prompted tributes throughout the entertainment industry, including performances honoring her music from artists such as Brad Paisley and Kacey Musgraves.

Her family requested a small private service for immediate relatives. Fans were encouraged to honor Parton by supporting Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, the childhood literacy program she founded in 1995. According to Parton’s official website, the program has distributed more than 300 million free books to children around the world.

• Dolly Parton’s sister called out country stars for allegedly failing to offer their “condolences” after the singer’s death and questioned whether political differences were responsible.
• While reflecting on their close relationship, Stella revealed that Dolly Parton remained hopeful even as her health declined.
• Dolly Parton’s official social media account shared a deeply emotional message less than two weeks after the country icon’s death.
• Dolly Parton’s family will reportedly be “taken care of for life,” despite much of her money going to charity.
• Dolly Parton’s hometown paid tribute to the singer as she was laid to rest.

Shania Twain Praises Dolly Parton’s ‘Magical’ Songwriting

Twain also reflected on the number of artists who have reinterpreted Parton’s music across different genres and generations. “‘Jolene’ has been rerecorded so many times now in so many different ways, and in the end, she is still this magical songwriter who inspires others to reimagine and to redo their own take on her music,” Twain explained. “It’s only a flattering thing.”

Originally released in 1973, “Jolene” became one of Parton’s signature songs and has since been covered by numerous artists. Parton also wrote “I Will Always Love You,” which Whitney Houston transformed into a global hit after recording it for “The Bodyguard.”

Twain Gave ‘You’re Still The One’ A New Sound

Twain is now experiencing a similar form of musical reinvention. The country singer partnered with DJ and producer Zedd to create a new version of “You’re Still the One” for Candy Crush’s 2026 Music Season. The collaboration gives the love song a dance-oriented sound while retaining Twain’s original vocals. The project also includes a colorful interactive music video set in “Candy Country,” a Western-inspired fantasy world filled with rhinestones, shimmering saloons and hidden clues.

Candy Crush announced that the Music Season event would run in the game through October 5, 2026. Players can also search the video for codes connected to prizes, including opportunities to meet Twain or Zedd on tour.

Twain said the new production gives the familiar song another opportunity to reach listeners. “I think it’s just a whole new, wonderful energy to the song, and it just gives a second life to something that we already know and has been in our lives for so many years now,” she said. “It’s like hitting the refresh button on something. It’s fabulous.”

“You’re Still the One” appeared on Twain’s 1997 album “Come On Over” and became one of the biggest hits of her career.

Younger Artists Continue To Inspire Shania Twain

The Zedd collaboration is part of a busy creative period for Twain. She released her seventh studio album, “Little Miss Twain,” in July. The project features collaborations with Tanya Tucker, Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme and musical duo The War and Treaty.

Twain said working with artists from different generations helps keep her creativity moving forward. “Being around people that are doing things you may never have thought of [or] doing things in a different way you may never have considered, like Zedd’s doing,” she told Us Weekly.

Dolly Parton Worked Until Her Final Days

Parton’s death did not bring an immediate end to her creative work. Her team revealed that she had continued working until the day she died, including helping develop “DOLLY: A True Original Musical.” The autobiographical production, featuring music and lyrics by Parton, is scheduled to premiere on Broadway in December 2026.

Parton had also recorded a song that remains sealed inside a time capsule at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort. The track is scheduled to be released in 2045, on the resort’s 30th anniversary. Her longtime manager, Danny Nozell, said Parton’s team has a plan for continuing her unfinished and future projects.

“She loved seeing her dreams come to life, and loved knowing her work brought people joy,” Nozell said. “Ever the planner, Dolly worked with the team that she handpicked for the past several years to build a project roadmap that will guide us for decades to come.”

Even after her death, Parton’s work will continue reaching audiences, inspiring reinterpretations and encouraging other artists to trust their own visions.

The Shania Twain Makes Heartbreaking Admission About Dolly Parton first appeared on The Blast