Dolly Parton has kept out of the public eye a lot since her husband’s death in 2025. The “9 to 5” singer canceled several public appearances and her Las Vegas residency. She blamed it on a mysterious ongoing health issue. The music icon made a rare public appearance this week to promote her surprising new venture. Keep reading for all the details.
Dolly Parton Opens Surprising New Business
Dolly Parton has been in the entertainment industry for decades. But that’s not her main focus. The singer has expanded into many other industries, including fashion, home goods, and more. She also created the Imagination Library foundation to provide free books to children. Her latest venture is surprising but also fits perfectly with her brand.
As a performer, Dolly Parton has traveled around the country and back. During her time on the road, she stopped at many rest areas. However, they weren’t up to her standards. So she opened her own. Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop opened in Cornersville, Tennessee, this week.
Dolly Parton attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony after canceling several events over the last few years amid her poor health. She canceled a 2025 appearance at Dollywood after she was diagnosed with kidney stones. She skipped her 80th birthday celebration at the Grand Ole Opry in January. But the biggest cancellation was her Las Vegas residency. She initially postponed it but canceled it for good earlier this year.
But she couldn’t miss the opening of the new truck stop bearing her name.
Dolly Parton, 80, Makes Rare Public Appearance Amid Health Struggles
Dolly Parton was on hand to cut the ribbon to officially open Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop on Wednesday, July 24. The singer wore a tight blue dress and her trademark sky-high hair.
“I’ve spent my whole life traveling on the road, so anyway, I wanted to welcome you and say thanks,” she told the crowd. NewsChannel5 reported that Dolly Parton took a playful jab at popular rest area Buc-ee’s. “Well, I couldn’t leave it to beavers. I had to throw my spurs in there myself,” she said, seeming to reference Buc-ee’s beaver mascot.
Fans Concerned After Rare Outing
Dolly Parton looked as fabulous as ever during the surprise appearance. However, fans couldn’t help but notice that two men seemed to be holding her up during the ribbon-cutting ceremony. The men continued to help Dolly Parton navigate across the stage. Fans took to social media to share their concern.
Dolly Parton has entered the trucker stop business. Here’s a special look at Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop in Cornersville, Tenn., that is officially open for business. pic.twitter.com/4i0mtjg7Qu
— NewsChannel 5 (@NC5) June 24, 2026
- “Hope she’s okay; those guys seem to be ready to grab her in a second”
- “That was so awkward. They were so grabby at her and then it looked like she wanted to talk, but they took her away.”
- “dolly’s age is clearly catching up to her”
- “Please take care of yourself”
- “Heels, 80 and top heavy of course they were cautious.“
Dolly Parton’s rare public appearance sparked more talk about her health issues. Tell us in the comments if you think she looked frail.
Jennifer Havener grew up in a small town in Upstate New York. She earned her B.A in Writing & Literature from Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. She always knew watching reality TV shows and soap operas, particularly ‘Days of Our Lives’, would come in handy someday. When she’s not writing, she’s playing with her dogs, Lola and Ruger