Just minutes after Dolly Parton's family shared the news of her death in an Instagram video, celebrities close to the Queen of Country Music began expressing their love for her.
The East Tennessee native was 80 years old. Dollywood President Eugene Naughton confirmed the star's death to Knox News. She died Aug. 25, he said.
Kacey Musgraves, Lily Tomlin and more react to Dolly Parton's death
"So glad she’s with her Carl Dean. No one talk to me today," Kacey Musgraves wrote in an X post. In a separate post, she wrote, "The world feels a lot less sparkly all of a sudden."
Actress Keke Palmer, who appeared alongside Parton in Joyful Noise, was among the first to share her heartbreak.
"I’m devastated. Truly," Palmer said in an Instagram post.
Lily Tomlin, one of Parton's 9 to 5 co-stars, shared that she was heartbroken
alongside a simple black-and-white picture of the 9 to 5 singer.
"Friend. Songwriter. The Great Harmonizer of Humanity. Dolly. Dolly. Dolly. Forever Dolly," Tomlin wrote on X.
The Kelly Clarkson Show shared a clip of Clarkson and Parton singing Parton's iconic song,"I Will Always Love You."
Actress Jamie Lee Curtis also spoke out on the news.
"Thank you, Dolly. For all of it," Curtis wrote on Instagram alongside a black-and-white photo of Parton and her husband, Carl Dean. "She is a great example for us all," Curtis wrote in a second post.
"The news of Dolly Parton’s passing is devastating," Seth MacFarlane wrote in an X post. MacFarlane worked alongside Parton on the science-fiction TV series The Orville.
Slash, guitarist for Guns N' Roses,simply wrote "RIP" for the "My Tennessee Mountain Home" singer.
Reba McEntire, a longtime friend of Parton and fellow country music star, shared a photo of the two and a statement.
"Dolly, thank you for all the wonderful things you did for us here on earth," McEntire wrote.
Country singer Trace Adkins shared his thoughts on Parton's death in an X post.
"It is indeed rare for the world, collectively, to express sorrow for someone’s passing. I knew her to be the angel that they think she was, and I’ll miss her," Adkins wrote.
Singer and songwriter Dionne Warwickshared a photo of the two on X and wrote, "I will certainly miss her laughter, jokes and her being. Rest well and in total peace, my friend. My heart is heavy."
Actor Coleman Domingo called Parton a "light" in hisX postand said, "We are all grateful that we lived in a time of Dolly Parton. We will always love her."
"Like the rest of the world, I’m immediately heartbroken," Kristin Chenoweth wrote on her Instagram account, alongside a photo of her and Parton.
Author J.K. Rowling also reacted to Parton's death, saying that despite meeting Parton only once, she had a lasting impact on her.
"Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library was the best contribution to child literacy ever made by a celebrity. Our paths crossed once, in the '90s, backstage at a talk show, and I was completely tongue-tied and starstruck. RIP Dolly," Rowling wrote on X. "You were a complete, irreplaceable one-off."
Congressman Tim Burchett shared his thoughts on X as well.
"Kelly and I are saddened by the news of Dolly’s passing. She was an incredible East Tennessean who served as an inspiration to little girls everywhere. Dolly never changed her accent or forgot where she came from," Burchett said.
Senator Marsha Blackburn also shared her thoughts, alluding to Parton's hit song "I Will always love you."
"Her passing leaves a void that no one can ever fill. Dolly, we will always love you," Blackburn wrote.
Other Tennessee politicians such as Knox County mayor Glenn Jacobs also shared heartfelt words.
"Dolly was one of a kind and will be missed," Jacobs wrote in an X post.
Senator Bill Hagerty wrote, "Dolly was talented beyond compare, and an entrepreneurial juggernaut who played an integral role in transforming our state,"on his X account.
Politicians outside of Tennessee expressed their grief too. U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders also shared his condolences on X.
"Dolly Parton was one of the great entertainers of our era. She was not only a talented musician & songwriter, but a lifelong philanthropist and advocate for literacy, education, LGBTQ+ rights, healthcare and disaster relief," Sanders wrote.
"Dolly Parton was an American icon who brought people together and spread joy. In Kentucky, she shared her love of reading through her Imagination Library," Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear wrote on X.
Sen. Marsha Blackburn also shared her thoughts, alluding to Parton's hit song "I Will Always Love You."
"Her passing leaves a void that no one can ever fill. Dolly, we will always love you," Blackburn wrote.
Other Tennessee politicians, such as Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs, also shared heartfelt words.
"Dolly was one of a kind and will be missed," Jacobs wrote in an X post.
Sen. Bill Hagerty wrote on X, "Dolly was talented beyond compare and an entrepreneurial juggernaut who played an integral role in transforming our state."
Politicians outside Tennessee expressed their grief as well. U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders shared his condolences on X.
"Dolly Parton was one of the great entertainers of our era. She was not only a talented musician and songwriter but also a lifelong philanthropist and advocate for literacy, education, LGBTQ+ rights, healthcare and disaster relief," Sanders wrote.
"Dolly Parton was an American icon who brought people together and spread joy. In Kentucky, she shared her love of reading through her Imagination Library," Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear wrote on X.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Lily Tomlin, Reba McEntire lead tributes after Dolly Parton's death
