Dolly Parton Postpones December Vegas Dates After Health Scare — Manager Confirms It’s Kidney Stones, Not Worse

Country legend Dolly Parton is taking a forced break from the spotlight as she deals with a health setback — a decision that has concerned fans, prompted heartfelt prayers from her sister, and led to the postponement of her much-anticipated Las Vegas shows.

Sister’s Prayer Request Sparks Concern

The alarm bells began when Dolly’s sister Freida Parton posted on social media that she had “been up all night praying” for Dolly, saying she “hasn’t been feeling her best lately.” Freida urged fans who love Dolly to join her in prayer, saying she believed in the power of collective support.

The emotional plea ignited worry among fans, many fearing the worst behind the cryptic language. Soon, speculation ran wild about what might be afflicting the 79-year-old icon.

However, Freida later clarified her words, explaining that she didn’t mean to create panic or exaggerate the situation. She called her initial post “a little sister asking for prayers” and said Dolly was simply under the weather.

Manager Sets the Record Straight

To ease the growing concern, Dolly’s manager, Olly Rowland, stepped forward to confirm the nature of the singer’s health issues. He disclosed that Dolly is being treated for kidney stones and requires a medical procedure to resolve the condition. The manager emphasized that the situation had been “blown out of proportion” and assured fans it was not a more serious illness.

“It’s just the kidney stones, and the procedure she needs to resolve those,” Rowland said.

Vegas Residency Postponed — New Dates Set

In light of the diagnosis, Dolly has officially postponed her December 2025 Las Vegas performance run. The show, Dolly: Live in Las Vegas, which was set for six nights at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace, will now take place in September 2026.

In her announcement, Dolly wrote that she needed the time to recover fully. She acknowledged that her doctors have told her she must undergo “a few procedures,” and she joked that it was time for her “100,000-mile checkup.” Still, she emphasized how important it is to her to give fans the performance they deserve — not something she would do half-heartedly.

“I am not going to be able to rehearse and put together the show that I want you to see, and the show that you deserve to see,” she said.

Dolly reassured supporters she has no plans to retire, writing, “Don’t worry about me quittin’ the business because God hasn’t said anything about stopping yet.”

For ticket holders, the good news is they will receive either refunds or transfers to the new dates in 2026.

A Rough Year for a Resilient Icon

This health scare comes in a year that’s already been emotionally exhausting for Dolly. In March 2025, she lost her husband of nearly 60 years, Carl Dean. His passing left a void in her life and her work, one that fans and the music world have mourned alongside her.

Before postponing the Vegas shows, Dolly also canceled a scheduled appearance at Dollywood, citing complications from a kidney stone that had turned into an infection. Doctors advised her not to travel while dealing with that.

Despite the health concerns, Dolly has remained optimistic. She has continued work from her home base in Nashville, working on her projects that don’t require physical performance, and promised to return to the stage when she’s strong again.

Fan Reactions & Messages of Support

Right away, fans flooded social media, fan forums, and comment sections with messages of love, prayers, and encouragement. Many expressed admiration for Dolly’s honesty and her decision to put her health first.

A common refrain: no concert is worth a rushed or compromised performance. Fans say they prefer Dolly at 100% over a half-hearted show. Many also shared memories of where they were when they first heard Jolene, 9 to 5, or I Will Always Love You — proof of the deep bond she’s built over decades.

Her team’s transparency about the medical issue (kidney stones) and her decision to step back temporarily has helped regulate fear and speculation, turning what could have become a wildfire of rumors into a compassionate and supportive moment.

What’s Next? Monitoring the Recovery

As Dolly undergoes treatment, all eyes will be on her recovery progress. Kidney stone removal often involves procedures like lithotripsy or, if necessary, surgical intervention. Recovery time can vary depending on the severity and method.

Given her age and stature, every day of rest counts. If all goes well, Dolly could be fully ready for rehearsals in the months leading to the rescheduled September 2026 dates — giving her time to heal and prepare properly.

Her management has not indicated any long-term health concerns beyond this immediate issue. For now, the goal is clear: heal, rest, and come back stronger.

Conclusion

While the news of Dolly Parton’s health issue and postponement stirred worry, her team’s explanation and her own message have helped turn panic into patience. The problem is clear (kidney stones), the remedy is in progress, and the spirit remains unbroken.

Dolly’s fans are waiting — not just for the songs, but for the return of an icon at full strength. And if history is any guide, she’ll come back shining.