Following Dolly Parton's death, Rolling Stone's country music podcast Nashville Now posed the question of which contemporary artist most closely embodies her spirit, warmth and broad appeal. While the piece stresses that no single performer can truly replace Parton, several names emerged as carrying elements of her legacy, from established stars to newer voices in the genre.

Reba McEntire and Garth Brooks were cited from the older generation for their entertainer qualities, while Lainey Wilson was highlighted for her relatable, down-to-earth persona, having previously released a song titled "WWDD" (What Would Dolly Do?). Fans most frequently named Kacey Musgraves, whose bold, empathetic songwriting and love of rhinestones echo Parton's style, alongside suggestions including Miley Cyrus (Parton's goddaughter), Sierra Ferrell, Taylor Swift, Miranda Lambert, Kelly Clarkson and Brandi Carlile, who closed a recent Nashville concert with an all-Dolly encore. Parton died on 25 August aged 80 after a brief illness and was laid to rest on Friday at Woodlawn Cemetery in Nashville beside her late husband, Carl Dean.