Carrie Underwood Fights Back Tears During Emotional “I Will Always Love You” Performance At Dolly Parton Tribute

Carrie Underwood struggled to hold back her tears as she delivered an emotional rendition of “I Will Always Love You” to close the Country Music Association’s tribute to Dolly Parton on October 21. The powerful performance brought the evening to a moving conclusion, with Underwood visibly overcome by emotion as she sang one of Parton’s most beloved songs.

The special, CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton, was organized following Parton’s death on August 25, 2026. It brought together some of country music’s biggest names to honor the legendary singer, songwriter, entertainer, and philanthropist.

Underwood joined fellow stars including Reba McEntire, Vince Gill, and Ella Langley for the televised celebration. Other performers included Lainey Wilson, Darius Rucker, Zac Brown, Carly Pearce, and several more artists whose careers have been influenced by Parton’s extraordinary legacy.

The two-hour special aired on ABC and Disney+ at 9 p.m. Eastern Time on October 21. Viewers who missed the broadcast can watch it on Hulu and Disney+ the following day.

Carrie Underwood’s Tearful Performance Brings The Tribute To A Powerful Close

With her remarkable voice and longstanding admiration for Parton, Underwood was among the evening’s most anticipated performers. When she took the stage for the closing number, she delivered a rendition that captured both the beauty of the song and the emotion surrounding the occasion.

Dressed in a glittering gown, Underwood stood before a backdrop featuring a pair of projected pink butterfly wings as she began singing “I Will Always Love You.”

Her vocals soared through the venue, creating an atmosphere that quickly became emotional. As the performance approached its conclusion, Underwood herself became overwhelmed, breaking down in tears and struggling to get through some of the lyrics.

The moment made an already moving tribute even more personal. Rather than simply delivering a technically impressive performance, Underwood appeared deeply affected by the song’s significance and the loss of the woman being honored.

The finale became even more poignant when the other performers and special guests joined Underwood onstage. Together, they sang as the evening drew to a close, creating a heartfelt collective tribute to Parton.

It was a fitting conclusion to a night dedicated to celebrating a woman whose music, generosity, and influence touched generations of fans and fellow artists.

Underwood’s emotional performance stood out as one of the evening’s most memorable moments, offering a moving reminder of the connection between Parton and the country music community she helped shape.

Carrie Underwood And Dolly Parton Shared Years Of Musical Memories

The emotional weight of Underwood’s performance was rooted in more than admiration for Parton’s music. The two artists had shared several memorable moments throughout their careers, including performances, collaborations, and appearances together on major country music stages.

Their history of musical tributes stretches back to 2006, when Underwood honored Parton at the Kennedy Center Honors. She performed “Islands in the Stream” alongside Kenny Rogers as part of the celebration.

In 2009, Parton joined Underwood for a performance of “I Will Always Love You” during Underwood’s holiday television special. The song brought them together again in 2016, when both artists participated in the star-studded “Forever Country” mashup.

Their connection also extended beyond the stage. In 2019, Underwood co-hosted the CMA Awards with Parton and Reba McEntire, giving the three country music stars an opportunity to share the spotlight during one of the genre’s biggest annual events.

These experiences created a lasting connection between Underwood and Parton, making the tribute especially meaningful for the younger singer.

Underwood’s Heartfelt Message Following Parton’s Death

Following Parton’s passing on August 25, Underwood shared a deeply personal tribute reflecting on the qualities that made the country music icon so special to her.

“She’s not gone. I know exactly where she is,” Underwood wrote.

She went on to describe Parton as the embodiment of “faith, grace, talent, beauty and humor,” adding that the singer had a humble heart for Jesus and possessed a remarkable ability to make everyone around her feel special.

Underwood accompanied her message with photographs capturing some of the happy memories they had shared over the years.

She concluded her tribute with a reflection on the loss felt by fans and the hope offered by her faith.

“It’s alright to be sad that this world lost a legend, but heaven gained an angel. Well done, good and faithful Dolly. Welcome home.”

The message offered a glimpse into Underwood’s admiration for Parton, extending beyond her extraordinary musical abilities to encompass her character, generosity, and faith.

Just days after sharing those words, Underwood dedicated another emotional moment to Parton during a live show, performing “See You Again” in her honor.

A Tribute That Reflected Dolly Parton’s Lasting Influence

Underwood’s performance at the CMA celebration brought together many of the themes that defined her relationship with Parton: shared musical history, deep admiration, and a genuine sense of loss.

By choosing “I Will Always Love You” for the evening’s closing performance, Underwood returned to a song that had connected the two singers onstage years earlier. Her struggle to finish the rendition through tears made the moment particularly poignant.

The appearance also served as part of a wider celebration featuring country music artists from different generations, each contributing to a program that honored Parton’s work as a performer, songwriter, entrepreneur, and humanitarian.

The special was produced in partnership with Belmont University and included performances, archival footage, and personal stories tracing Parton’s life and career. Proceeds from the event were also set to benefit Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, the book-gifting program that has helped foster a love of reading among children.

For Underwood, the evening offered another opportunity to honor someone who had played a meaningful role in her musical journey.

Her tearful rendition of “I Will Always Love You,” followed by the sight of fellow performers gathering around her onstage, provided a fitting end to the celebration. It was a moment that captured both the enduring power of Parton’s music and the profound affection she inspired among the artists who knew and admired her.

Watch Carrie Underwood’s emotional performance of “I Will Always Love You” during the CMA tribute to Dolly Parton.