Keith Urban has shared a heartfelt and tragic tribute to country music star Dolly Parton, as his ex-wife Nicole shared her own memories of Parton and her ex-husband.
Urban took to social media saying he was “heartbroken” to hear the news of Parton’s death, which was announced by her family on Tuesday night US time.
“honestly...... I have no words right now,” he wrote on his Instagram story.
Parton, known in the industry as the “Queen of Country”, passed away aged 80 in a hospital in Nashville after a “brief battle” with cancer.
Urban’s ex-wife, legendary Aussie actor Nicole Kidman, also shared a sweet photo of herself, Keith, and their two daughters posing on the red carpet with Parton.
“We will always love you, Dolly,” she captioned the photo on Instagram, in reference to the star’s 1974 hit I Will Always Love You.
The photograph, which pictures Kidman and Urban standing closely together before their high-profile separation and divorce in 2025, was a poignant choice as reports swirl of the actress’ new relationship with businessman Michael Reinstein.
Parton and Urban shared a sweet friendship before the legend’s death, often sharing the stage in a unique mix of Parton’s iconic rhinestones and Urban’s rockstar aesthetic.
Urban even personally wrote to Parton after he was selected for the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2023, requesting she present the prestigious award to him.
“There was only one person on my list and it was Dolly,” he later said.
During his acceptance speech, Urban stuck a “In Dolly We Trust” sticker on the podium, which is believed to have been purchased by Kidman before the ceremony.
Dolly will be laid to rest in a private ceremony, according to her family.
The tributes to Parton come just days after Urban was spotted holding back tears while singing his song We Go Back — a notably heart wrenching song about an ex, after Kidman was spotted with Reinstein.
“This song is about a guy and a girl growing up in a small town,” he said during the song, according to the Daily Mail.
“They were the first of their friends to fall in love.
“They had a good thing going, until the guy screwed it up.”
The report suggests Urban was visibly wiping away tears after the performance.
Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.
Sign up for our emails