Published: 08:05 BST, 27 August 2026 | Updated: 11:08 BST, 27 August 2026
Harry Styles surprised fans with a touching tribute to the late Dolly Parton on the first night of his Madison Square Garden residency on Wednesday.
The singer, who is performing 30 dates at the iconic New York venue, made sure to honour the legendary country singer as he took to the stage following the news of her death.
It was announced on Tuesday that the 9 To 5 singer had died aged 80 after a brief battle with cancer.
And Harry took a moment to pay his respects to Dolly as he told fans: 'I just want to say thank you to all the musicians over the years that have inspired me. Dolly thank you so much.'
His band then began playing I Will Always Love You alongside the 1974 track with Dolly singing as Harry encouraged fans to sing along.
Harry's show came as Miley Cyrus penned a heartbreaking tribute to her godmother Dolly.
Harry Styles surprised fans with a Dolly Parton tribute on the first night of his Madison Square Garden residency in New York on Wednesday (pictured performing in London last month)
Harry took a moment to pay his respects to Dolly as he told fans: 'I just want to say thank you to all the musicians over the years that have inspired me. Dolly thank you so much'
Miley wrote to her 205million followers: 'The feeling of losing my Aunt Dolly is beyond what feels right to share. Our most sacred moments were private and they’ll stay there behind the stage, beneath the glamour & between our hearts.'
Despite keeping some of their most personal moments to herself, she continued the heartfelt caption by saying Parton's presence will always be felt.
Miley continued: 'What I KNOW is Dolly would want me to feel it, write a song about it, and then continue on and be strong. I have an angel by my side. I always have. One of our last conversations was about music and metamorphosis.
'I will always love her and want to make her proud,' she added. 'My heart breaks for the world, her family and friends who will miss her deeply. We’re in this loss together and we will see her in all of the most beautiful things.'
Dolly was bonded with Miley for her entire life, as the country music legend previously opened up about how she became her godmother.
'I've known her since she was a baby,' she told GMA in 2009. 'Her father's a friend of mine, and when she was born, he said, "You just have to be her godmother," and I said, "I accept."
