Dolly Parton doesn’t plan to let her health issues stop fans from enjoying her performances. The singer has revealed that she intends to explore collaborating with companies that create “avatar performances.”
The development comes after Parton canceled her Las Vegas residency in May following its initial postponement from December last year.
Months after Ozzy Osbourne’s family announced plans to create an AI avatar of the late heavy metal pioneer, veteran singer Dolly Parton is now considering a similar approach for herself.
However, Parton’s project would involve “AI performances,” potentially allowing her to continue performing for her numerous fans while dealing with her health issues and even well into the future.
While the Osbourne family enlisted tech company Hyperreal to create his avatar, Parton did not reveal who she would be working with or what kind of avatar she intends to create. Still, she confirmed that the idea is already in the “early stages of development” with her collaborators and team.
Health Issues Forced Parton To Scrap Her Vegas Residency
Parton’s announcement comes on the heels of her canceling her forthcoming Las Vegas residency. The shows were initially scheduled for December, then pushed to May this year, and ultimately canceled.
At the time, she shared a statement telling fans that she still had “some healing to do” amid her health issues. She also apologized to those who had already bought tickets, adding that she hoped her absence would not stop them from making the trip to the city.
“I am truly sorry that I’m going to miss all of you that had tickets to see me in Las Vegas. Well, you get on to Vegas, and you have a big time… And I’ll see you somewhere down the line,” the “Jolene” crooner remarked.
Dolly Parton’s Health Issues Also Kept Her Away From Dollywood
Concerns about Parton’s health were further fueled when she appeared only via video at the opening of Dollywood’s newest ride, NightFlight Expedition, earlier this month.
In the video, which showed her wearing butterfly wings and flapping them, she told fans that her health issues were the reason for her absence.
“I’ve told you before, all my fans, that I’ve had a few little health issues and sometimes I get a little dizzy and I get dehydrated. And I’m dehydrated,” the singer said in the video recorded by a fan for TikTok.
She added, “So my Nashville doctor has kind of clipped my wings, saying, ‘You ain’t traveling this week.’ So, I guess if your doctor tells you, ‘You ain’t traveling this week,’ you ain’t traveling this week.”
The Singer Is ‘So Proud’ Of Her New Nashville Museum
Parton recently announced plans to launch her Life of Many Colors Museum in Nashville, which will offer fans an intimate look at her life and career.
Speaking about the project, the singer told PEOPLE Magazine that she is “so proud” of it and explained how she found its location. “We found this location early one morning. I knew I wanted to do something special in Nashville, and until I saw this building, nothing ever hit me as the right thing to do,” she told the outlet.
“I saw a copy of my book Songteller in the lobby of what once was this office building. After touring it and seeing the location, I knew this was it. I wanted to join all my Nashville friends downtown, but I didn’t just want it to be another bar. So, we found a way to bring in my museum on the third floor and make it really special.”
Dolly Parton Has Even More Projects In The Works
Aside from the museum, Parton also has a new line of dog treats with Purina in the works, as well as a coffee brand called Cup of Ambition Coffee.
The latter is a project the singer has hoped to launch for years, and will begin shipping in September.
“That’s a dream I’ve had for over 40 years, ever since I wrote the line about ‘cup of ambition’ in my song ‘9 to 5,’” Parton revealed. “But, you know, some dreams take longer to come to life than others.”
