Kesha Honors Dolly Parton with Emotional Song Performance

Pop star Kesha delivered an emotional tribute to the late Dolly Parton on Tuesday, just hours after the country music legend's death at age 80. Performing on her Freedom tour near Pittsburgh, Kesha dedicated a song to Parton, highlighting a deep familial connection.

Kesha explained to the audience that her mother, Pebe Sebert, originally penned "Old Flames Can't Hold a Candle to You." This song was first released by Joe Sun in 1978, but it was Parton's 1980 cover that achieved massive popularity on the country charts. Kesha emphasized the song's profound impact on her life, stating it helped her family financially, even purchasing their home and funding her education.

Further deepening the connection, Parton recorded a duet of "Old Flames Can't Hold a Candle to You" with Kesha for her 2017 album, Rainbow. Kesha described this collaboration as a source of immense strength during her highly publicized legal battles, particularly within the #MeToo movement, making her feel divinely supported.

As a large portrait of Parton was displayed, Kesha performed the song in honor of her legacy. She joins a chorus of public figures, including Sarah Michelle Gellar, Julia Roberts, and Sally Field, who have shared heartfelt remembrances of the beloved entertainer.