Ella Langley Pays Tribute to Dolly Parton: ‘You Paved The Way For So Many To Be Brave’

Ella Langley, who continues to dominate the Billboard Hot 100 with her 19-week No. 1 hit “Choosin’ Texas,” is among those honoring the late country music icon Dolly Parton, who passed away on Tuesday (Aug. 25) at age 80 following a brief battle with cancer.

“Dolly, thank you for standing up for yourself as an artist, a songwriter, a musician, a producer, an author, a creative, and most importantly, a woman in this industry,” Langley wrote on her Instagram Stories, alongside a photo of Parton.

Langley added, “You paved the way for so many to be brave. Thank you for being unafraid to show your most authentic self. The world needed Dolly and will never see another like it. The gates of heaven just welcomed home a beautiful soul.”

Parton, whose legendary career spanned six decades, earned two No. 1 Hot 100 hits, including 1981’s “9 to 5” and 1983’s “Islands In The Stream” with Kenny Rogers. Parton also earned 25 No. 1 Billboard Hot Country Songs chart hits, including “I Will Always Love You,” “Here You Come Again” and “Jolene.”

Parton became a trailblazer, mentor and a model for women artists, breaking barriers and building an extraordinary career empire that spans music, songwriting, film, books, businesses and philanthropic efforts, all by being fearlessly true to herself in her music, her image, her branding, her megawatt personality and her devotion to her family and hometown.

Many other notable women music stars also paid homage to Parton since the news broke of her passing.

Reba McEntire wrote a heartfelt tribute on Instagram, including, “There will never ever be another you … She’s gonna have a blast in heaven singing all her favorite songs with all her family and friends who have gone on before her.”

Carrie Underwood also wrote on Instagram, “She’s not gone. I know exactly where she is. She was the epitome of faith, grace, talent, beauty and humor. She had a humble heart for Jesus and made everyone around her feel special. She was probably the one person on planet Earth that everyone loved and could agree on. She was a one of one and no one will ever come close. It’s alright to be sad that this world lost a legend, but heaven gained an angel. Well done, good and faithful Dolly. Welcome home.”

Taylor Swift also praised Parton in a statement, saying, “Somehow, she was true grace and true grit, all in one dazzling person. She possessed the softest heart when it came to the struggles of others, and a backbone of steel to defend her own self worth as an artist.”

Beyond music, Parton starred in films including Steel Magnolias, 9 to 5, Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and Joyful Noise. Parton’s East Tennessee theme park Dollywood continues to make the Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, area a major travel destination for tourists. Meanwhile, her Imagination Library, which launched in 1995, has sent free books every month to children up to age 5, giving away over 300 million books to children to date.

Along the way, Parton and her music have earned numerous accolades, including induction into both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Parton won 10 Grammys during her lifetime. Her song “Coat of Many Colors” was added to the National Recording Registry in 2012. Next month, she will be honored with a lifetime achievement award by the Americana Music Association at their annual Americana Honors & Awards ceremony.