‘Dancing With the Stars’ Pays Emotional Tribute to Dolly Parton During Dedication Night

Dancing With the Stars paid tribute to the late Dolly Parton during Season 35’s Dedication Night, bringing a heartfelt moment to the ballroom as professional dancers Alan Genkin and Adele Zaikman performed to one of the country legend’s beloved songs.

The special performance aired during Week 6 of the competition, when celebrities dedicate their dances to the people and places that have shaped their lives. This year’s episode, which aired on October 20, 2026, also made room to celebrate Parton’s extraordinary influence on music and entertainment.

Parton died on August 25, 2026, at the age of 80, following a brief battle with cancer. Her legacy extends well beyond country music, touching artists and audiences across generations and entertainment genres.

Alan Genkin and Adele Zaikman Honor Dolly With ‘Here You Come Again’

Ahead of the episode, Genkin and Zaikman shared their excitement about taking part in the tribute.

“We have some exciting news! This Tuesday, we’ll be performing together on Dancing With the Stars as part of a beautiful tribute to Dolly Parton,” the pair announced on social media.

The professional dancers are also a real-life couple. They first met while competing on Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro.

For their tribute, they performed a short, elegant routine to Parton’s hit “Here You Come Again.” The dancers moved across a dimly lit stage framed by a colorful backdrop and large floral arrangements, creating a setting that complemented the emotional tone of the performance.

As the music drew to a close, a photograph of Parton appeared on the screen behind them. Genkin and Zaikman gestured toward the image, giving the moment a fitting sense of farewell and remembrance.

Host Julianne Hough then spoke about the upcoming CMA special dedicated to Parton, CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton, which aired on ABC on October 21, 2026.

Julia Stiles Also Celebrated Parton’s Music Earlier This Season

The tribute was not the first time Parton’s music had taken center stage during Season 35.

Earlier in the competition, actress Julia Stiles and her professional partner Ezra Sosa performed a Quickstep to Parton’s iconic hit “9 to 5.” The song held special significance because Parton had personally approved its use for Stiles just weeks before her death.

“It was only a couple weeks before Dolly passed that she approved this song specifically for me,” Stiles said at the time. “I’m so honored to be dancing to her music. I’m honoring her legacy and I want to make her proud.”

After the performance, Stiles explained that she hoped their routine had captured Parton’s joyful spirit.

Together, the performances offered two distinct ways to celebrate the singer’s enduring influence: one through the energy of “9 to 5,” and another through the warmth of “Here You Come Again.”

A Lasting Legacy Beyond Country Music

Parton’s impact has reached far beyond her chart success. As a singer, songwriter, actress and philanthropist, she became a widely admired figure whose music and personality resonated with people from different backgrounds.

The Dancing With the Stars tribute reflected that broad appeal, using dance to honor an artist whose songs continue to connect with audiences.

The performance by Genkin and Zaikman was a brief but meaningful moment in Dedication Night, offering viewers an opportunity to remember Parton and celebrate the legacy she leaves behind.

Watch the emotional Dolly Parton tribute from Dancing With the Stars’ Dedication Night in the video below.