Country music star Reba McEntire is reflecting on an emotional moment from the final weeks of her longtime friend Dolly Parton’s life. The singer recently revealed that she missed a phone call from Parton and never got the chance to find out why she had called.
Reba McEntire Missed Dolly Parton’s Call
During a recent conversation with Entertainment Tonight, McEntire revealed that Parton reached out to her in late July. However, McEntire was in a meeting when the call came through and could not answer.
Later, McEntire tried to return the call. Unfortunately, she was unable to reach Parton.
“She did call me the last of July, and I was in a meeting and I missed her call,” McEntire explained. She added, “I never made connection.”
The Missed Call Took on New Meaning
At the time, the missed call may have seemed like a simple scheduling issue. However, everything changed after McEntire learned that Parton had died.
Looking back, McEntire said the unanswered call left her with one painful question: why had Parton called?
“I’ll never know why she called me,” McEntire said.
Even so, McEntire remains hopeful that she will eventually understand what Parton wanted to tell her. “I’ll find out some day,” she added.
McEntire and Parton Shared Decades-Long Friendship
Meanwhile, the connection between the two country music icons goes back decades. McEntire and Parton first crossed paths in 1977, when McEntire made her debut at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.
Over the years, their professional connection developed into a genuine friendship. Moreover, both singers continued to share admiration and respect for each other throughout their careers.
Following Parton’s death, McEntire was among the many stars who paid tribute to the country music legend. She remembered Parton’s influence and the lasting impact she had on people around her.
Reba Honors Dolly at the 2026 Emmys
More recently, McEntire paid tribute to her longtime friend during the 2026 Emmy Awards.
As part of a special tribute, she performed Parton’s 1983 classic “Appalachian Mountains.” The performance offered McEntire another opportunity to celebrate Parton’s extraordinary contribution to country music.
Ultimately, McEntire’s story about the missed phone call adds another deeply personal moment to the legacy of a friendship that lasted for decades.
About the author
Daya Nanoskar is an Entertainment Writer at Awesome TV and a contributor to AWSM Times. Daya covers film news, streaming releases, celebrity updates and industry news across Hollywood and Bollywood, and has written more than 2,300 stories for Awesome TV. Story tips and corrections: hello@awesometv.com.
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