Celebrities have led emotional tributes to country icon Dolly Parton after her death at the age of 80.
The family of the Jolene and 9 to 5 singer confirmed her death on Tuesday, saying she’s now ‘in the arms of Jesus’.
‘This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago before I fully absorbed it as a future reality,’ her nephew, Bryan Seaver, said.
‘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,’ he added.
Beyoncé, who worked with Parton and recorded a reworked cover of Jolene for her album Cowboy Carter, wrote: ‘Dolly, you were the barometer. The north star. Bold and brilliant. Talented and tenacious. You taught so many lessons on how to be uniquely oneself. I am grateful for your art, your heart, your generosity, your humor, your entrepreneurship.
‘I’m honored that I had the privilege to work with you. I will treasure that forever. Thank you for your profound impact on the world. You are an angel who has made this world a happier place because of your joyful art. You are truly one of one. Rest peacefully.’
Taylor Swift, 36, said in a statement shared with media outlets that ‘a world without Dolly doesn’t feel possible, real, or right.’
‘But because of the eternally generous way she spent her time on this earth and the countless lives she changed for the better, her legacy will be an everlasting one,’ she said.
Sex and the City star Sarah Jessica Parker lead the tributes, writing: ‘No!!!!!! I never met @dollyparton but my gosh, did I love her. I don’t think any of us had to know her to love her. One of the greatest this country ever produced.
She added: ‘Legend. For real. Forever. And always advocating for those she knew and understood needed a champion. What a loss. But aren’t we so lucky, so fortunate for the endless gifts she shared. With the world. Godspeed and RIP. You will be terribly missed. Xxx, SJ.’
Sir Elton John wrote on Instagram he is ‘shocked and devastated to hear of Dolly’s passing.’
He described the icon as ‘a giant of an artist – unique and irreplaceable, with the kindest heart.’
Oprah Winfrey said: ‘No one like her. She brought the light, and we are all better because she was here. God bless you, Dolly—you earned your wings.’
The talk show host revealed her top memory with the singer when the pair had ‘a hoot and a holler while wearing Bob Mackie gowns on her show Dolly.’
Ozzy Osbourne’s daughter Kelly penned an emotional tribute alongside photos of herself with Dolly and her son, Sidney, writing: ‘Dolly, thank you for paving the way. Not only for women in music, but for women everywhere to be unapologetically themselves. You showed us that we could be ambitious and kind, strong and soft, fearless and authentic.
