The MTV VMAs are in just a few days, on September 27, and it’s going to be an incredible night as the biggest names in music are honored for their achievements. But as the evening goes on, it won’t be just the living who are recognized. With the one and only Dolly Parton’s passing, it’s only right that the country legend be honored.
While the MTV VMAs aren’t known for their country performances on the main show, it was revealed on Wednesday that Grammy-winning country music star Kacey Musgraves will lead the tribute in Parton’s honor.
© GettyMusgraves and Parton have shared the stage twice and posed together on the red carpet over the years.
© GettyThey had previously shared the stage at the 2019 GRAMMYS for Parton’s Person of the Year performance that included Katy Perry, Maren Morris, Little Big Town, and her goddaughter, Miley Cyrus.
© Getty ImagesThough it’s not confirmed, other singers will likely take the stage in her honor. Fans are of course wondering if Miley, who just released her album, Bass Persuasdes, will be the ultimate surprise.
Considering they were at the same 2019 performance, it would be a heart-tugging, full-circle moment.
Cyrus recently opened up about her Aunt Dolly’s passing with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe, revealing that one of their last conversations was about the record.
© Getty Images for The Recording A“The time that we talked, which was the last time we would talk, it was actually me telling her about this record because even though we are so different, that’s what made us so perfect for each other,” she said.
The singer said that even though Parton passed, she was still going to send her the vinyl. “Dolly has been the first person that when I get a vinyl printed, that’s the first person I send it to since I’ve been making vinyls,” Cyrus told Lowe. “And this time around I’m going to send her a vinyl because I always do.”
While it would undoubtedly be emotional for Miley if she were to take the stage, she has said herself that Parton always encouraged her to work through the tears.
© Vijat Mohindra/NBC via Getty ImaMiley told Lowe that she has always struggled to keep her emotions in check while performing, and said Parton once watched her perform on Late Show with David Letterman and questioned why she was crying.
She explained that the song was about the world ending and never seeing her mother again, and Parton’s response was characteristically practical. “She was like, ‘Music is escapism. Like, let them cry. You need to, like, get through it,’” Miley recalled.
© Arturo HolmesAmong the first wave of announced performers are Raye, BLACKPINK’s LISA and Best New Artist nominee Sienna Spiro. Gener8ion and Yung Lean will also team up for the first-ever performance of their song “Storm II.”
Shaboozey is joining the lineup, too, with Gunna set to join him for a performance of their track “High Noon.”
Raye heads into the ceremony with two nominations. She’s up for Song of the Year for “WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!” and Best Visual Effects for “Click Clack Symphony” featuring Hans Zimmer.
LISA has four nominations, including Best Pop, Best K-Pop, Best Cinematography, and Best Editing for “Dream” featuring Kentaro Sakaguchi.
Meanwhile, Shaboozey earned two nominations this year: Best Cinematography and Best Country for “Cowgirl.”
Madonna is opening the show
© Sonia MoskowitzThe Queen of Pop is set to open the show, bringing her VMAs journey full circle. Madonna first took the stage at the inaugural ceremony on Sept. 14, 1984.
Now 68, the music icon is also the most-nominated artist of the night, with 11 nods. Her nominations include Artist of the Year and Video of the Year, as well as Best Collaboration, Art Direction, Cinematography, Editing, Dance, Direction, Choreography, and Visual Effects.
Madonna has earned 20 VMA wins throughout her career, including the Video Vanguard Award, and has received more than 80 nominations over the years.
The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards, hosted by Snoop Dogg, will air live from Los Angeles on Sunday, Sept. 27, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. ET (4:30 to 6:30 p.m. PT) on CBS, with a simulcast on MTV and streaming on Paramount+ in the U.S. The ceremony will also be available globally on Paramount+ and MTV the following day.
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