Heidi Montag has shared a personal memory of Dolly Parton defending her against public backlash following her extensive 2009 plastic surgery, describing the country music icon as one of the few in the industry who did not criticise her. Montag posted the tribute on X shortly after news broke of Parton's death this week, aged 80, from cancer. The recollection highlights the kindness Parton was known for, particularly towards public figures facing harsh scrutiny.

Montag recalled Parton saying she would "probably have done the same thing" in her position, referencing the 10 procedures Montag underwent in a single day in 2009, including breast augmentation and a nose job revision, which drew intense media criticism at the time. Montag also shared an earlier memory of Parton visiting her hometown when she was seven, saying it had a lasting impact on her. Parton herself was long open about having had cosmetic surgery, writing candidly about it in her autobiography and saying people should do "whatever you are comfortable with and can afford".