Dolly Parton Said She Was Exploring ‘Avatar Performances’ Before Her Death at 80

Brenton BlanchetTue, August 25, 2026 at 7:36 PM UTC

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Dolly Parton in Nashville in November 2023Credit: Jason Kempin/Getty -

Dolly Parton died on Tuesday, Aug. 25 at age 80

The country music icon previously told PEOPLE in a statement days before her death that she was exploring the potential of “avatar performances”

“It is just crazy what technology can do these days,” she said at the time

Dolly Parton was exploring new ways to tour her music before her death.

The country music legend, who died at the age of 80 on Tuesday, Aug. 25, told PEOPLE in an Aug. 21 statement that her team was collaborating with companies that create “avatar performances” amid her recent health concerns.

She noted that they were in the “early stages of development.”

Dolly Parton at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville in May 2025Credit: Jason Kempin/Getty

“I hate to cancel anything I’m committed to, but I just couldn’t do the shows at the level I would want them to be, and in the way that I know my fans would expect them to be. I definitely plan to do special performances in the future, but I won’t tour anymore like I used to,” Parton said at the time, referring to a Las Vegas residency she canceled.

She added: “But, you know, we’ve been working with some of those companies who make those avatar performances, and we are in early stages of development on that. It is just crazy what technology can do these days. So, I’m hopin’ to launch a big show like that right here in Nashville soon. Isn’t that just wild? I’ll be like George Jones — they used to call him ‘No Show Jones’ — I won’t have to show up in person but I still get paid! Sounds like a pretty good deal to me.”

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Parton mentioned the development while detailing “hard times” with her health. “I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over Carl,” she said, referring to caring for her late husband Carl Thomas Dean, who died in March 2025 at age 82.

While Parton did not describe her proposed touring approach further, she recently appeared via video to celebrate the opening of Dollywood’s newest ride, NightFlight Expedition. The country star, who also teased her forthcoming Life of Many Colors Museum in Nashville in her recent statement, had cited health issues for why she was unable to attend the event in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.

Parton’s “avatar” mention came months after the family of Ozzy Osbourne announced that the late rocker would be made into an AI avatar, which son Jack Osbourne said would be “some high-level technology.” Other artists have also announced or embarked on digital avatar performances, including KISS and ABBA.

Parton’s nephew, Bryan Seaver, revealed the news of her death in an Instagram video on Tuesday. “My family and I have shared a lifetime of beautiful memories with Dolly, but so have you. She has always been on your television, your record player, your CD and on your phone playlist, becoming an extended part of your family whether you liked it or not,” he said. “ Our family and the team she has entrusted with her legacy will work diligently to ensure her spirit will live with us forever. Dolly was a farmer, just like her daddy; he farmed the soil, she farmed songs and happiness.”

Seaver added, “Dolly called me and said she wants to rest in a beautiful bed of plush cotton because after a life of wearing heavy rhinestones, she finally deserves to be comfortable and have some rest.”

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”