Carrie Underwood Gets Emotional During Heartfelt Dolly Parton Tribut

Country music fans witnessed a deeply moving moment when Carrie Underwood took the stage to honor the legendary Dolly Parton with a performance of “I Will Always Love You.”

Underwood delivered the closing performance of the CMA special I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton, which aired October 21. Wearing a sparkling gown against a backdrop featuring pink butterfly wings, she brought a heartfelt touch to one of Parton’s most beloved songs.

As the performance approached its final moments, the emotion became difficult for Underwood to contain. Her voice wavered, and she struggled to get through some of the lyrics as tears took over. The vulnerability made the tribute feel especially personal, turning a powerful vocal performance into a moment of genuine emotion.

The moment became even more touching when fellow performers and special guests joined Underwood onstage for the closing singalong. Together, they celebrated Parton’s extraordinary influence on country music and the generations of artists she inspired.

Underwood’s connection with Parton goes back many years. The two previously performed “I Will Always Love You” together during Underwood’s 2009 holiday special and later participated in the star-studded “Forever Country” project in 2016.

Following Parton’s reported passing in August 2026, Underwood also shared a heartfelt tribute reflecting on the singer’s faith, generosity, talent and ability to make others feel special.

For Underwood, this latest performance was more than a chance to sing a country classic. It was an emotional expression of admiration for an artist whose music and legacy have touched countless lives.

 

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Watch the performance: The CMA special is available to stream on Hulu, according to Country Rebel.