There’s no one on Earth who loves Dolly Parton more than Kelly Clarkson.
The “American Idol” alum, 39, honored the country music icon, 76, with a moving rendition of the song “I Will Always Love You” at the 2022 ACM Awards on Monday evening.
Clarkson rocked a long-sleeved black gown for the performance at the ceremony, held at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
After the “Miss Independent” singer sweetly sang a cover of the late Whitney Houston track, Parton came out on stage and greeted Clarkson.
“Give it up for Dolly Parton,” Clarkson exclaimed as she left the stage.
“I know that Whitney is smiling down on us tonight, so thank you very much — she would be proud of that,” Parton told the audience.
“I was backstage trying not to cry my false eyelashes off — slinging snot in every direction and tears,” the “9 to 5” actress continued. “But anyway, that was an amazing job!”
Recently, Parton spoke about “I Will Always Love You” and how she nearly crashed her car the first time she heard the late Houston sing the song, which became one of the all-time biggest singles. Parton also revealed she earned about $10 million in royalties in the 1990s, which she used to help a black neighborhood in Nashville.
Last month, Clarkson announced on Instagram that she would be performing a special tribute to Parton at the ceremony. “One word: DOLLY. That’s right, y’all! I’m so excited to announce that during this year’s @ACMawards, I’ll be performing a tribute to the show’s host @DollyParton! Don’t miss the #ACMawards LIVE Monday, March 7,” she wrote at the time.
The 57th Academy of Country Music Awards was hosted by Parton with co-hosts Jimmie Allen and Gabby Barrett helping her out.
Aside from Clarkson, other A-list performers who took the stage on Monday included Eric Church, Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Kane Brown, Thomas Rhett and Maren Morris.
Here is the full list of winners from the 2022 ACM Awards.
Entertainer of the Year
Eric Church
Luke Combs
Miranda Lambert
Chris Stapleton
Carrie Underwood
Female Artist of the Year
Gabby Barrett
Miranda Lambert
Ashley McBryde
Maren Morris
Carly Pearce
Male Artist of the Year
Jimmie Allen
Luke Combs
Thomas Rhett
Chris Stapleton
Morgan Wallen
Album of the Year
Carly Pearce — “29: Written In Stone”
Thomas Rhett — “Country Again: Side A”
Morgan Wallen — “Dangerous: The Double Album”
Chris Young — “Famous Friends”
Jack Ingram, Jon Randall and Miranda Lambert — “The Marfa Tapes”
Single of the Year
“Buy Dirt” — Jordan Davis and Luke Bryan
“Famous Friends” — Chris Young and Kane Brown
“Fancy Like” — Walker Hayes
“If I Didn’t Love You” — Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood
“You Should Probably Leave” — Chris Stapleton
Song of the Year
“7 Summers” — Morgan Wallen
“Buy Dirt” — Jordan Davis and Luke Bryan
“Fancy Like” — Walker Hayes
“Knowing You” — Kenny Chesney
“Things a Man Oughta Know” — Lainey Wilson
New Female Artist of the Year
Tenille Arts
Priscilla Block
Lily Rose
Caitlyn Smith
Lainey Wilson
New Male Artist of the Year
Hardy
Walker Hayes
Ryan Hurd
Parker McCollm
Elvie Shane
Music Event of the Year
“Buy Dirt” — Jordan Davis and Luke Bryan
“Famous Friends” — Chris Young and Kane Brown
“Half of My Hometown” — Kelsea Ballerini and Kenny Chesney
“If I Didn’t Love You” — Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood
“Never Wanted to Be That Girl” — Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde
Duo of the Year
Brooks & Dunn
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
LoCash
Maddie & Tae
Songwriter of the Year
Jesse Frasure
Nicolle Galyon
Ashley Gorley
Michael Hardy
Josh Osborne
Group of the Year
Lady A
Little Big Town
Midland
Old Dominion
The Cadillac Three
Video of the Year
“Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home)” — Elle King and Miranda Lambert
“Famous Friends” — Chris Young and Kane Brown
“I Bet You Think About Me (Taylor’s Version)” — Taylor Swift and Chris Stapleton
“If I Didn’t Love You” — Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood
“Never Wanted to Be That Girl” — Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde