Lauren Alaina Sings Soaring Rendition Of “I Will Always Love You” In Honor Of Dolly Parton
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Lauren Alaina has joined the long list of artists who’ve paid tribute to Dolly Parton following her death on August 25.
In 2014, Dolly told Entertainment Weekly that she knew many people would turn to her song “I Will Always Love You” after her death. That belief was strengthened after seeing how often the song was played following Whitney Houston’s death in 2012. Whitney had covered the song for the film The Bodyguard, and it became the all-time best-selling single by a solo female artist.
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Dolly thought correctly. After her death, artists such as Vince Gill, Chris Stapleton, and Lauren Alaina have all sung “I Will Always Love You” in her honor.
Lauren’s tribute occurred during a performance at the Grand Ole Opry. Lauren, who’s been an Opry member since 2022, delivered a soaring rendition of “I Will Always Love You” that surely left many members of the audience a bit misty-eyed. Lauren herself appeared to be fighting back tears at one point in the song.
The response to her tribute was overwhelming positive, with the comments on one video reading:
“Dolly would be so proud! You did an amazing job!”
“Goosebumps. Lauren’s got such a beautiful voice.”
“She is sooo underrated.”
“one of the best versions I’ve heard!”
“Wow absolutely beautiful gave me chills.”
“Crying all over again…”
A few attendees captured Lauren’s performance on camera, and you can watch a couple of clips below. We’re sure Dolly was smiling down on her…
@ashlee_wheaton Tonight at the @Grand Ole Opry, @Lauren Alaina sang a beautiful tribute to Dolly Parton! 🦋🥹 #dollyparton #laurenalaina #opry #iwillalwaysloveyou #nashville ♬ original sound – Ashlee Wheaton
@theedwardjames I know @Dolly Parton is up in heaven with the biggest smile on her face, @Lauren Alaina 🫶🏽🦋🤠 @Grand Ole Opry #CountryMusic #LaurenAlaina #DollyParton ♬ original sound – Edward James
Lauren Alaina Previously Shared Other Tributes To Dolly
Shortly after news broke that Dolly Parton had passed away, Lauren Alaina celebrated her immense influence on country music and how she paved the way for other female singers to follow in her footsteps. Lauren shared how much she’ll cherish the time they spent together, writing:
“The times I got to spend with her meant the world to me. I’m so thankful to have had a woman like her to look up to. No one will ever do it like Dolly did.”
Lauren said she was able to find some peace in knowing that Dolly has now reunited with her husband, Carl Dean, and her other loved ones who’ve passed. She closed her tribute by writing, “We will always love you, Dolly.”
Then, on August 29, just one day after releasing her new album, Stages, Lauren sat down to sing an a cappella version of “I Will Always Love You.”
She said she felt compelled to sing the song after thinking of Dolly all weekend. She was at the front of her mind every time Lauren prepared to get onstage.
“…I think about how much she influenced me to chase this dream,” Lauren wrote. “I know I’m not the only one who owes so much to her. What a gift it is to live out a dream that she helped inspire.”
Watch Lauren Alaina’s previous performance of “I Will Always Love You” in the video below. It’s obvious how much of an impact Dolly had on her life…
