As the recent news of Dolly Parton’s death leaves the country scene in pieces, fans are flicking back through the late star’s greatest performances in tribute to the legend. With a music career spanning a jaw-dropping 49 studio albums, Dolly’s listeners are spoiled for choice when it comes to picking out their favorite flashback moments. But one unlikely performance is uniting fans as they ponder the same question: Is Katy Perry the luckiest girl on Earth?
Back in 2016, Dolly Parton and Katy Perry shared the stage at the 51st Academy of Country Music Awards, singing a once-in-a-lifetime medley of Dolly’s all-time greatest hits. Yet somehow, the memory managed to slip through the cracks, lost to internet obscurity until just last week when grieving fans unearthed the footage on YouTube and sent it viral with more than 61,500 views across its various uploads.
Curious to find out what happened? Music Man readers can watch the duet unfold in the video above…
As the spotlights rise, Dolly and Katy take center stage and dive straight into a chorus of Dolly’s 1971 single “Coat of Many Colors,” soon splitting verses as Dolly passes the torch from her generation to the next. An interlude of audience applause eclipses the moment Katy Perry sings Dolly’s anthem “Jolene” a cappella, reinventing the classic chorus lyrics before the pair ditch their mic stands to kickstart the party spirit.
Dolly, who had turned 70 only months before, delivers verses just like the record; Katy, 31, adding twists of her own while Dolly ad-libs over new melodies, the pair entering a sing-off by the time the second chorus strikes. A stellar duet of “9 to 5” wraps up the medley, and as fans flock to the comments section to share their thoughts, one thing is clear. Katy Perry might just be the luckiest person in the world as she finally claims the chance to sing on stage with her hero and inspiration, Dolly Parton.
Despite controversy in the comments section about Katy Perry wavering off-pitch, and subtle hints that the pair may have forced their friendly chemistry for this performance, countless fans have found themselves lost in the magic as they reminisce on Dolly’s career.
As one top commenter asked, “Who else visited [this clip] after hearing about her passing?” another reckoned, “Katy Perry, you are so lucky to be on stage with the sweetest, most joyful woman like Dolly Parton!”
Just days after the tragic news of Dolly Parton’s death broke headlines, Katy Perry paid tribute to the late legend during her concert in Mexico, remembering aloud to her audience mid-show: “She had both big boobs, big brains and a big voice in one body. And on top of that, the biggest thing that she did was that she was constantly kind. She was kind to everyone. It is not always easy if you’re in the spotlight for decades and decades and decades. So I just want to send a little love to Miss Dolly Parton. If you haven’t discovered her music, you should really check it out.”
Dolly’s timeless generosity and that unforgettable duet with Katy Perry remind us why she mattered so deeply. To revisit the performance and explore tributes, videos and more about her extraordinary legacy, discover useful links below.