Source : PERTHNOW NEWS
Billy Ray Cyrus has revealed Dolly Parton’s reaction to rumours they were having an affair.
The 65-year-old Achy Breaky Heart hitmaker has paid tribute to the late country icon, who died on Tuesday (25.08.26) aged 80, and reflected on the moment he apologised for the outrageous claims made by the media back in the early ’90s.
He wrote on Instagram: “I have so many moments and memories with Dolly, it’s hard to know where to start.
“Like every little boy, I grew up loving Dolly Parton. She was a part of our lives, on our TV’s, right in our living rooms.
“In 1992, I’ll never forget walking into her dressing room to apologize for all the tabloid stories which claimed I was having an affair with her.
“In true Dolly fashion, she just looked at me, winked, and said, ‘Honey, this trash sells records!’ “
As well as the lighthearted memory, Billy Ray also revealed the Jolene singer sent him a “beautiful message” shortly before her death.
He added: “Dolly recently sent me a beautiful message, telling me she loved me with her whole heart.
“I will always love her in the same way… with my whole heart… and I always will.”
Other country stars have also been paying tribute to Dolly after her death.
Blake Shelton, who met Dolly when she appeared on The Voice.
He wrote on Instagram: “I can say with absolute certainty that we are all feeling the same heart brokenness today.
“I only got to spend any real time with Dolly when Gwen and I got to work with her on The Voice.
“I want everyone to know that she was the EXACT person that you think she is. It was like being with the funnest, most loving, most caring and closest member of your family.
“Truly a loss for the entire world. We love you Dolly.”
Keith Urban took to his Instagram Stories and said he was “heartbroken” by the news, writing: “I have no words right now.”
Kacey Musgraves said “this really really hurts” in a brief post on X, before added: “The world feels a lot less sparkly all of a sudden. So glad she’s with her Carl Dean. No one talk to me today.”
Reba McEntire, known as The Queen of Country, has been friends with Dolly for years, and she said her “buddy” has “passed onto the higher and greater side”.
In an emotional Instagram post, she continued: “Dolly, thank you for all the wonderful things you did for us here on earth. Your love, your music and you gave so much with your huge huge heart.
““There will never ever be another you. We will remember and cherish every memory and every note you ever played and sang.
“Thank you, Lord, for Dolly. She’s gonna have a blast in heaven singing all her favorite songs with all her family and friends who have gone on before her.
“I’ll never forget the first time I met you and I’ll never forget our last conversation. I hold it with love in my heart. I will always love you, Reba.”
Dolly’s death was confirmed in a video from her nephew Bryan Seaver, which he shared on her Instagram and X account.
He said: “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, Sister, Sis and Granny to one generation and Gigi to the next.
“This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality.
“As her head of security for more than two decades, a role my father Larry held before me, I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven’t truly felt it until now.
“It is an honour, an honour that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness. But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly. Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by Carl, her parents and countless others who have watched her and longed to meet her in the heavens.”
Dolly’s rep later revealed the singer died after “bravely facing a brief battle with cancer”.
