Eminem revealed that Dolly Parton once sent him a heartfelt note that left an “impact on him” as the rap star paid tribute following the country icon’s death at 80 on Tuesday.
The “Lose Yourself” rapper, 53, said that Parton sent the congratulatory message after the 2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, where she and Eminem — real name Marshall Mathers — were inducted into the same class.
“Marshall (Eminem), Congratulations on your induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame,” she wrote in the letter, which Eminem shared on Instagram.
“Your performance was amazing and everybody said so. Even though I don’t know a lot about rap music, I’ve come to know that you are the very best at it.”
Eminem performed a medley of his hits at the 2022 ceremony, including “My Name Is,” “Rap God,” “Sing for the Moment,” “Stan,” “Forever” and “Not Afraid.”
Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler joined him for “Sing for the Moment,” while Ed Sheeran performed with him on “Stan.”
Parton then opened up about an “unexpected connection” she felt with the rapper.
“Aside from that I hope what I have to say will not seem weird or strange to you but I have always felt some unexplained connection to you like I know you somehow,” she continued.
“I had hoped to meet you at the show but you know how nuts those things are, personally I hate ’em and I missed my chance but maybe someday we’ll meet.”
Parton also encouraged Eminem to keep creating music and told him that his work had an impact on people.
“In the meantime, keep doing what you’re doing because you do it so well and no matter how complex your world may be just know you are very special and touch people in ways you don’t even know,” she added.
“With love & respect, Dolly Parton.”
Eminem shared the note hours after Parton’s death was announced, saying the letter had a lasting impact on him and thanked Parton for taking the time to write it.
“I’m sorry we never got a chance to meet, but getting this note from Dolly really had an impact on me,” Eminem wrote in the caption of his post.
“She definitely didn’t have to take the time to do it. Even for a kid who mostly listened to rap music, she was an icon. A superstar in every sense. Rest easy Dolly. And thank you for the kind words.”
Parton’s family announced her death Tuesday, saying she died peacefully surrounded by loved ones after a private battle with cancer.
“After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones,” Parton’s reps later confirmed to Page Six, though the type of cancer was not disclosed.
Parton’s six-decade career earned her 11 Grammy Awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award, along with multiple other honors for her work in country music.
Eminem’s more than three-decade career has earned him 15 Grammy Awards, among numerous other honors in hip-hop.
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