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The music community will pay tribute to Dolly Parton at the VMAs on Sunday. But one person who was close to Dolly’s heart won’t be on stage. 

The “Jolene” singer’s goddaughter Miley Cyrus was not invited to participate in what is sure to be an emotional tribute to the country music icon. Instead, Kacey Musgraves will perform at the event, which is scheduled to air September 27 starting at 7:30 p.m. ET on CBS and MTV. 

VMAs producers were concerned about turning Miley Cyrus’ ‘grief into a television moment’ 

Why the snub? The answer is complicated, sources told gossip columnist Rob Shuter. On one level, there was a sense that the former Disney Channel star should not have to grieve publicly for someone who was such a big part of her life. 

“Dolly wasn’t just an icon to Miley — she was family,” a music insider said, as Shuter shared in a post on his Naughty But Nice Substack. “There was concern that asking Miley to turn that grief into a television moment so soon would be incredibly emotional. This isn’t just another tribute for her.”

But another source says that producers wanted to make sure that the focus remained on Dolly, not on her famous godchild. 

“Miley comes with enormous emotion, history and attention,” the insider said. “The second she walks onto that stage, the tribute becomes the Miley moment. Producers wanted the focus firmly on Dolly. Kacey is easier — she can deliver a beautiful performance without overshadowing the tribute itself.”

Another reason to go with Musgraves has to do with ratings, Shuter said. By tapping the country star, the VMAs may draw interest from people who typically wouldn’t tune in to the show, which tends to focus on pop and hip-hop artists. 

Miley Cyrus says her ‘most sacred moments’ with Dolly Parton ‘were private’ 

Shortly after Dolly’s death on August 25, Cyrus posted an emotional tribute on Instagram, noting that she would be grieving in her own way. 

“The feeling of losing my Aunt Dolly is beyond what feels right to share,” she wrote. “Our most sacred moments were private and they’ll stay there behind the stage, beneath the glamour & between our hearts.

“What I KNOW is Dolly would want me to feel it, write a song about it, and then continue on and be strong. I have an angel by my side. I always have. One of our last conversations was about music and metamorphosis,” she continued. “I will always love her and want to make her proud. My heart breaks for the world, her family and friends who will miss her deeply. We’re in this loss together and we will see her in all of the most beautiful things.”

The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards air Sunday, September 27 from 7:30-9:30 p.m. ET (4:30-6:30 p.m. PT) on CBS, simulcast on MTV, and streaming on Paramount+ (Premium) in the U.S. The show will also be available globally the next day on Paramount+ and MTV

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