The country music legend Dolly Parton spoke out over the weekend to pay touching tribute to the late Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne. He sadly died in July of last year at the age of 76 after a battle with Parkinson’s disease.
Parton Honors Osbourne
Parton, 80, honored Osbourne while making a virtual appearance at the 2026 BRIT Awards on Saturday night. During that ceremony, Osbourne received a Lifetime Achievement Award.
“Ozzy Osbourne dedicated his entire life to music and his legacy has left a permanent imprint in the fabric of music lovers everywhere,” Parton said in a video message that was played during the ceremony at Co-op Live in Manchester. “Now talk about stealing the show.”
“Ozzy knew how to get your attention with his love of theatrics, his musical gifts—he could turn any occasion into a full-blown show,” she continued. “And at his very core, Ozzy Osbourne was a showman.”
Osbourne’s widow Sharon, 73, and daughter Kelly, 41, appeared onstage to accept their father’s award.
“He may not be here,” Sharon said. “But he left us an amazing body of work that will never be forgotten by the country that made him.”
“Thank you for loving my father as much as we do,” Kelly added. “Up the Villa and Birmingham forever.”
Parton’s Previous Comments On Osbourne
Days before his death, Osbourne performed a ten hour “Back To The Beginning” farewell concert in Birmingham, England on Saturday. Parton sent in a video message that was played at this epic event.
“Well, Ozzy Osbourne, it’s Dolly Parton here,” Parton began. “Now, I know you’re at home, and what a wonderful place to be, right? Are we supposed to be saying ‘Farewell to you?’ Well, I don’t think that’s going to happen.”
“How about we just say, ‘Good luck, God bless you, and we will see you somewhere down the road?'” she later added. “Anyway, I love you. I always have, and we’re going to miss you up on stage, but you know what? I wouldn’t be surprised if you show up somewhere else, and I’ll be there. Love you!”
Check out Parton’s full message to Osbourne for yourself here. A portion of her message can be seen in the video below.
Kelly Osbourne Speaks Out
Meanwhile, as for the Osbourne family, they’ve been open about the grief that they’ve been feeling for the late Black Sabbath frontman. After her appearance at the BRIT Awards, Kelly took to her Instagram Stories to respond to the negativity she’s been experiencing on social media.
“There is a special kind of cruelty in harming someone who is clearly going through something,” Kelly said in a statement on Sunday. “Kicking me while I’m down, doubting my pain, spreading my struggles as gossip, and turning your back when I need support and love most.”
“None of it proves strength; it only reveals a profound absence of compassion and character,” she continued. “I’m currently going through the hardest time in my life. I should not even have to defend myself. But I won’t sit here and allow myself to be dehumanized in such a way!”
This has clearly been a very difficult time for the entire Osbourne family. God bless Parton for stepping up to pay tribute to Osbourne at a time where his family needs it the most!