Kelly Clarkson is remembering a quiet act of kindness from Dolly Parton, just weeks after the country legend's death at 80.
On the Las Culturistas podcast, Clarkson said she learned her divorce from Brandon Blackstock was finalized about 30 minutes before she took the stage at the 2022 ACM Awards. Parton, who hosted that night, had personally chosen her to sing "I Will Always Love You" as a tribute.
Clarkson did not share Parton's exact words. She said she told Parton it was a wild moment for her, and that the conversation helped her feel steadier. She called it a "really beautiful thing" and said she'll never forget it.
Parton praised Clarkson's performance during the broadcast. According to People, she said Whitney Houston, who made the song famous, would have been proud.
Parton often spoke openly about her faith. She released her first gospel album in 1971, built Thomas Chapel at her Dollywood park, and said that faith carried her after the death of her husband, Carl Dean, in 2025: "I am a person of faith." Since her death on August 25, churches across the country have honored her faith and generosity.
