Country music legend Dolly Parton has officially cancelled her long-awaited Las Vegas residency, confirming the decision comes after ongoing health challenges that have left her unable to return to the stage.
The 80-year-old had originally been due to perform six shows at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace as part of her Dolly: Live in Las Vegas residency.
The dates, initially scheduled for December, were postponed due to unspecified health issues and later rescheduled for September — but have now been cancelled entirely.
In a video shared with fans on Instagram, Parton reassured audiences that her condition is improving, but admitted she is not yet ready for the demands of live performance.
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“The good news is I’m responding really well to meds and treatments and I’m improving every day,” she said.
“Now the bad news is, it’s going to take me a little while before I’m up to stage-performance level because some of the meds and treatments make me a lit bit swimmy headed, as my grandma used to say.”
The singer, known for her humour as much as her music, added that performing under those conditions simply isn’t realistic.
“And of course, I can’t be dizzy carrying around banjos, guitars, and such on five-inch heels — and you know that I’m going to be wearing them,” she joked.
“Not to mention, all those heavy rhinestone outfits, the big hair, my big … uh, personality. Lord, those — that would make anybody swimmy headed!”
While Parton did not go into full detail about her health, she confirmed she has been dealing with ongoing medical issues in recent years, including kidney stones.
She explained she has “had problems with my kidney stones” and that her immune system and digestive system “got all out of whack over the past couple three years and they’re working real hard on rebuilding and strengthening those”.
Despite the setback, the singer struck an optimistic tone, emphasising that her condition is manageable.
“that everything I have is treatable, so I’m going with that”
She also reassured fans that she has no intention of stepping away from her career entirely, even if she needs to slow down for now.
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The residency would have marked Parton’s first run of Las Vegas shows in more than three decades, making the cancellation a disappointment for fans who had held onto tickets following the initial postponement.
Her health has been the subject of speculation in recent months, something Parton has previously addressed directly. Last year, she took to social media to shut down rumours in her trademark candid style.
“There are just a lot of rumors flying around. But I figured if you heard it from me, you’d know that I was OK,” she said.
“I’m not ready to die yet. I don’t think God is through with me. And I ain’t done working.”
Although she has not toured since her 2016 Pure & Simple Tour, Parton continues to work on a number of major projects, including a new Broadway musical and developments tied to her Dollywood theme park.
For now, fans will have to wait a little longer to see her back on stage — but if her own words are anything to go by, Dolly Parton is far from finished.
