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Dolly Parton was forced to miss an event at Dollywood on Friday after her doctor advised her not to travel because of dehydration and ongoing health issues.
The 80-year-old singer had been expected to attend the dedication of NightFlight Expedition, the Tennessee theme park's new attraction, in person. Instead, she appeared through a video message from Nashville and apologized for her absence.
"I'm still in Nashville, and I'm sorry about that," Parton told those gathered at the event. She explained that she had previously experienced dizziness and dehydration, adding that her Nashville doctor had instructed her to remain in the city.
"And I'm dehydrated," she said. "And so my Nashville doctor clipped my wings, saying you ain't traveling this week."
Parton used butterfly wings shown in her video as a playful reference to her health. She said she had been dealing with the situation since May, when the attraction was originally expected to open, and again in June.
The singer reassured fans that her treatment was progressing well. "All is going well on the medical end of things," she said, while also explaining that she remains involved in several projects, including the Songteller Hotel, the Life of Many Colors Museum in Nashville and her upcoming Broadway musical.
Her latest absence comes after a series of health-related setbacks over the past year. Parton postponed her Las Vegas residency in September 2025, citing "health challenges" and saying she needed to undergo several procedures.
She later canceled the residency in May, explaining that she was responding well to medication and treatment but needed more time before returning to the stage.
Parton has previously discussed dealing with kidney stones and other health problems. In March, during Dollywood's opening-day celebration, she said she had become physically and emotionally worn down while grieving the death of her husband, Carl Dean, who died in March 2025 at 82.
"I just kind of got myself where I needed to build myself back up spiritually, emotionally, and physically," she said at the time.
Despite her health challenges, Parton has continued making public appearances and working on new projects. Her most recent public appearance before Friday's Dollywood event was in June at the opening of Dolly's Tennessean Travel Stop in Cornersville, Tennessee.
