Beyoncé Knowles-Carter is paying tribute to country music legend Dolly Parton, following her death on Aug. 25.
Beyoncé honored the “Queen of Country” in a heartfelt post shared on her official site beyonce.com.
“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,” she wrote. “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.”
Parton and Beyoncé have openly supported one another, collaborating on Beyoncé’s eighth studio album “Cowboy Carter.”
On the 2024 album, the “Ya Ya” singer first included Parton on an interlude titled “Dolly P.” in which Parton refers to her as “Miss Honey Bey.” Beyoncé also covers the country music legend’s 1973 hit “Jolene” on the album, putting her own spin on the classic track. In Parton’s version of “Jolene,” she pleads with a rival not to steal her man. However, Beyoncé warns off her adversary with freestyle energy in her own version.
Prior to its release, Parton openly expressed wanting to team up with Beyoncé after fans urged the two to join forces.
“I love her!” Parton said of Beyoncé. “She’s a beautiful girl and a great singer,” she told Knox News, part of the USA TODAY Network, ahead of their collaboration. “We’ve kind of sent messages back and forth through the years. And she and her mother were like fans, and I was always touched that they were fans, and I always thought she was great.”
Shortly after, Beyoncé released “Cowboy Carter” on March 29, 2024, featuring Parton. And Parton was one of the first stars to publicly praise the country album.
“I’m a big fan of Beyoncé and very excited that she’s done a country album,” Parton wrote in an Instagram post. “So congratulations on your Billboard Hot Country number one single.”
For Beyoncé’s first country album, she made sure to feature country legends such as Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson and country music pioneer Linda Martell. She also collaborated with crossover artists such as Miley Cyrus and Post Malone, as well as emerging Black country artists such as Shaboozey, Willie Jones, Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, Reyna Roberts and Tiera Kennedy.
The Grammy-winning album became a catalyst for the renewed spotlight on Black country artists and the genre’s Black roots, all while also challenging country music industry norms, sparking conversations about the intersection of race and country music.
Parton died on Aug. 25 at the age of 80.
“Hey everyone, my name is Bryan Seaver, son of Cassie Parton, and I’m representing the Parton and Owens family today, announcing the passing of my aunt Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean,” the late singer’s family said in a video announcing the news.
Follow Caché McClay, the USA TODAY Network’s Beyoncé Knowles-Carter reporter, on Instagram, TikTok and X as @cachemcclay.