Kacey Musgraves Honors Dolly Parton in a Pink Sequin Dress at the 2026 MTV VMAs

It’s been five years since country darling Kacey Musgraves attended the annual MTV Video Music Awards. Musgraves is nominated for Best Country Song for her abstinence anthem, “Dry Spell.” The true honor, however, was one she herself bestowed.

On Sunday evening, the singer made her VMAs return for a very important cause: a tribute performance for the late Dolly Parton. Our very own dime store cowgirl paid tribute to the Backwoods Barbie, with a goosebump-inducing rendition of “I Will Always Love You,” one of Parton’s most famous songs.

Musgraves chose a delightfully Dolly-inspired gown for the special rendition. She wore a long-sleeve gown in a delicious shade of Dolly Parton-pink. The bodycon number was covered entirely in shimmering fuchsia rhinestones, with feathers at the wrist. Though designed by eveningwear designer Miron, the dress easily could have hailed from the late country singer’s estate.

While undoubtedly Dolly-coded, Musgrave’s performance look was a major departure from her previous VMAs style. She last walked the red carpet back in 2021 in an eggplant-purple mini dress. Early on the color combination trend that’s everywhere this season, the “Golden Hour” singer styled it with contrasting red leather opera gloves. She completed the look with a massive plumed hat with feathers not unlike the ones that adorned her dress tonight.

Once a rhinestone cowgirl, always a rhinestone cowgirl.