The news comes as Parton opens up about ongoing health issues she admits she neglected while caring for her late husband Carl Thomas Dean, who died in March 2025 at 82 after nearly 60 years of marriage. She acknowledged the current period is difficult but not without precedent, noting she has faced serious health setbacks before.
The health struggles have reshaped her public schedule significantly. Parton postponed a planned Las Vegas residency at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace, first pushing December 2025 dates to September 2026, then canceling the run entirely in May. She has also appeared only virtually at several 2026 engagements, including the ACM Honors and the dedication of Dollywood's new NightFlight Expedition ride. Parton has not undertaken a traditional tour since 2016.
The avatar concept is thought to be similar to the ABBA Voyage experience in London, allowing Parton to deliver musical performances to fans without the physical demands of touring. Notably, Parton had previously expressed reluctance about being turned into an AI hologram after her death, telling Deadline in 2023 she did not want to leave her soul behind. An avatar she negotiates and controls herself while living is a different matter entirely.
Despite it all, Parton remains active behind the scenes. "Even though I'm still healin', I'm still workin'," she said. Projects currently in development include a Life of Many Colors Museum in Nashville billed as the largest exhibit celebrating her life anywhere in the world, new dog treats with Purina, and a Cup of Ambition Coffee line with Community Coffee.
