Country artist Kacey Musgraves will perform a tribute to Dolly Parton at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards on 27 September, marking her first appearance at the ceremony in five years. The performance commemorates Parton, who passed away in August at age 80 following a brief illness, and comes as Musgraves competes for the Best Country award at the same event.

Musgraves and Parton had cultivated a meaningful professional relationship, with the younger performer having previously honoured the country legend at various industry events and shared performance stages with her on multiple occasions. The VMAs tribute is among several commemorative performances across major awards shows celebrating Parton's profound and enduring influence on country music and popular culture, cementing her legacy as one of the most significant figures in modern music history.