Taylor Swift pays emotional tribute to Dolly Parton after making VMAs history

Taylor Swift’s emotional tribute to Dolly Parton at the VMAs has us in our feels 🥹

Taylor Swift had a HUGE night at the 2026 MTV VMAs, but one of her biggest moments was all about someone else.

After taking home Video of the Year for The Fate of Ophelia, Taylor dedicated the win to the late Dolly Parton, calling the country music icon the “ultimate showgirl”. 

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Honestly 🥹

Taylor praised Dolly's incredible ability to tell stories through music and reflected on the joy, love and gratitude she brought to her career and her fans. 

The tribute came during a history-making night for Taylor, who became the most awarded artist in VMAs history and was also presented with the first-ever MTV VMA Artist Director Honors, celebrating her work behind the camera.

While accepting Video of the Year, Taylor explained that she considered herself lucky to have been one of Dolly's many lifelong fans, adding that the world was lucky to have shared the planet with her. 

😭😭😭

Taylor wasn't the only star celebrating Dolly's legacy during the awards.

Kacey Musgraves also honoured the country legend with an emotional performance of one of Dolly's best-known songs. 

Between making VMAs history and taking the opportunity to celebrate one of her musical heroes, Taylor seriously gave us one of the sweetest moments of the night.

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