Southern girls stick together! Kelly Clarkson paid homage to Dolly Parton during the 2022 Academy of Country Music Awards — and sang her heart out in the process.The season 1 American Idol winner, 39, took the stage on Monday, March 7, to shine a light on Parton’s long career in country music, performing a moving rendition of “I Will Always Love You.” The jaw-dropping song, which was originally sung by Parton in 1973 before being made even more famous by Whitney Houston in 1992, left the crowd in awe.The “Jolene” songstress, who hosted the awards show alongside Jimmie Allen and Gabby Barrett, enjoyed the tribute live from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.“Oh, my gosh.
That is so great. I know that Whitney is smiling down on us tonight,” Parton said after watching Clarkson. “She’d be proud of that.
I was backstage trying not to cry my fake eyelashes off.”Ahead of the star-studded evening, Clarkson teased her performance and gushed over the 76-year-old Dollywood founder.“I’m super stoked because the one and only Dolly Parton is hosting and I have a special tribute planned just for her,” the “Because of You” singer said during a February episode of her her eponymous talk show. “I love her so much.”Parton, for her part, revealed how excited she was to see Clarkson’s performance, telling Entertainment Tonight on Thursday, March 3, “It makes me feel great that she is going to be doing it, because Kelly is one of the greatest singers in the world.”Holy f*ing shit that was amazing @kellyclarkson !!!
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