Kelly Clarkson’s unforgettable performance of Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You” at the 2022 ACM Awards has taken on an even deeper meaning following Parton’s death in August 2026.
Four years after that emotional tribute, Clarkson is opening up about just how nervous she was to take on one of Parton’s most iconic songs.
Clarkson performed the classic at the 2022 Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas, where Parton was also serving as the evening’s host. After Clarkson finished singing, Parton came onto the stage and praised the performance, creating a touching moment between the two artists.
Now, during a recent interview with TODAY, Clarkson revealed that she was “very nervous” about the performance—and her reason is incredibly understandable.
Clarkson explained that she was initially simply asked to participate in a tribute. She agreed without hesitation, only to discover that Parton herself had selected “I Will Always Love You” for her to sing.
That realization immediately changed things.
After all, “I Will Always Love You” is one of Parton’s signature songs and had also become world-famous through Whitney Houston’s iconic version. Taking on a song so closely associated with two legendary voices was no small task.
Clarkson admitted that she wondered why anyone would want to tackle such a challenging song.
But Clarkson delivered.
Her performance earned a standing ovation, and Parton herself appeared deeply moved. Parton later joined Clarkson onstage and praised the tribute, even acknowledging Houston’s lasting connection to the song.
The special connection between Clarkson and Parton continued beyond that night.
A few months later, Parton appeared on The Kelly Clarkson Show, where the two singers performed “9 to 5” together during the “Kellyoke” segment.
They also shared an unexpected moment when they sang “I Will Always Love You” together. This time, Parton took the lead while Clarkson provided harmony, creating a beautiful duet between the songwriter who originally wrote the song and the singer who had just honored her with it.
Following Parton’s death on August 25, 2026, Clarkson shared an emotional tribute remembering the way Parton made people feel welcomed and special.
Looking back now, Clarkson’s 2022 performance feels even more meaningful. What began as a nerve-racking tribute became a memorable moment shared between two extraordinary singers.
And Clarkson’s latest reflection gives fans another glimpse into just how much that moment meant to her.