Dolly Parton Calls Off Her Las Vegas Residency Due to Health Issues

^{After losing her husband of more than 50 years and navigating some health challenges, Dolly Parton has stepped back from her residency in Vegas to focus on healing her mental and physical well-being. (Photo: Christopher Trim / Icon Sportswire /  AP)}

Dolly Parton’s residency was one of the most anticipated sets of shows in Las Vegas, but the star herself has called off the shows as her health issues have left her unable to perform at the level her shows require.

The Rock & Roll and Country Music Hall of Famer made the announcement Monday via social media that she had canceled her upcoming residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace as a result of continuing health issues. 

Parton was apologetic about the cancellation, but was also quick to assure fans that her problems were not life-threatening. 

‘Some Good News … and a Little Bad News’

In a video that was released across the music legend’s social media outlets, the effervescent Parton tried to keep the mood light, even though she was there to announce some heartbreaking news. 

“I have some good news, and a little bad news,” the 80-year-old legend said to her fans. “The good news is that I’m responding really well to meds and treatments, and I’m improving every day.”

Then came the bad news. “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 little swimmy-headed, as my grandma used to say," Parton elaborated.

Parton then noted that her performances can be quite physically demanding. Her shows require her to carry different instruments, wear high heels and bouffant wigs, and manage her "big … personality," she said while glancing downward.

Never shy about admitting that she has had some work done in the past, Parton compared herself to a classic car. 

“When they raised the hood on this old antique, they realized that I need to rebuild my engine," Parton said. "My transmission is slipping, my oil pan is leaking, my muffler's busted and my shocks and pistons need to be replaced. And for sure, my spark plugs need to be changed, because you know, as well as I know, that I can't lose my spark. I know I'm still crazy, but they didn't mention anything about my mental health!” 

Tough Year for a Living Legend

Originally, Parton was supposed to have taken the stage at The Colosseum in October of last year. But the past year-plus has brought some difficult challenges for the author of “I Will Always Love You." 

In March 2025, Parton lost her husband of 50 years, Carl Dean, whom she called the love of her life. When it came to his passing, she stated that she's “still got some healing to do.” 

Then, while preparing for the opening of the Caesars Palace residency, Parton was stricken with a significant case of kidney stones (“Lord, they dig more stones out of me in a year than the rock quarry in Rockwood,” Parton joked) and an immunodeficiency that affected her strength. 

Both of these circumstances together led Parton to conclude that it would be impossible to move forward with her residency at The Colosseum. 

That doesn't mean Parton will be sitting on a rocking chair in Tennessee, however. She has stated that work on a Broadway musical about her life will continue and premiere in the fall or winter of 2026. She is also active in the management of her namesake theme park, Dollywood, in Pigeon Forge, TN. During the opening-day ceremonies for Dollywood’s 41st year in March, she adamantly told fans that her current health issues should not concern them. 

“I've not been touring, as you know,” Parton said. “I've had a few little health issues, and we're taking good care of them. I just kind of got worn down and worn out, grieving over Carl and a lot of other little things going on. I just got myself to a place where I needed to build myself back up spiritually, emotionally, and physically. But, all is good. It didn't slow me down.”

Customers who purchased tickets for Parton’s now-canceled residency should contact Ticketmaster or Caesars Palace directly to inquire about how a refund will be processed.