Dolly Parton Explores Avatar Performances Amid Health Issues

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Dolly Parton, 80, is exploring "avatar performances" with companies as she manages undisclosed health issues that have caused her to cancel or miss several appearances this year. Parton told People magazine she is dealing with health issues she ignored while caring for her late husband, Carl Thomas Dean, who died in March 2025. She said the avatar work is in early development and that she is still working while healing. Parton postponed and then canceled a Las Vegas residency, appeared virtually at several 2026 events, and has not toured traditionally since 2016. She has cited grief and exhaustion as factors in her reduced schedule.


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