Wynonna Judd Is 'Still In Denial' About Dolly Parton's Death: 'I Just Can’t Believe It'

Wynonna Judd said she's "still in denial" about Dolly Parton 's death.

Parton "died peacefully" on August 25 in Nashville, Tennessee, according to an official announcement issued that day. She was 80. Representatives for the beloved icon said hours later in a statement to PEOPLE, "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 was laid to rest in a private service for immediate family beside husband Carl Dean, who died in March 2025 at age 82. The country music community and many others have continued to share heartfelt tributes to Parton after her loss.

Judd, 62, wore a shirt with Parton's image on it when she spoke with PEOPLE ahead of her new album's release. The "No One Else On Earth" powerhouse said she's "still in denial" about Parton's passing, and reflected on the late legend's kindness. Judd said Parton showed up for her when she lost her mother and The Judds duo partner, Naomi Judd, in April 2022. She was 76. Parton's support meant "everything," Judd said in an interview clip shared by PEOPLE on Instagram on Wednesday morning (September 30).

"I feel like Dolly was plucked out of the air. I just feel like she just disappeared. And I'm still in denial. I wear this shirt every day, and I just can't believe it. It's not possible. So, in the five stages of grief, I'm still in denial. When Mom died, we had a memorial. That time, she reached out to me. I still have her voice on my voicemail. And she showed up for me, came in the dressing room. I saw one of her tattoos. And she just looked right into my eyes and said, 'I love you very much.' Could not have been kinder, more present and more loving. And when people show up for you like that, wow. It's everything. It really means everything."

Judd said when asked how she'll keep Parton's memory alive: "Well, wear the shirt, jack the hair, be sparkly as much as possible, and be kind. And on time. She was always very on time."

Judd is getting ready to release The Hard Truth, "the most personal album of her storied career," according to a previous press release. The 11-track album includes "Am I Missing Out," "Kentucky Queen," "Girl Who Could Sing," and "Hear Me Now" with Iron & Wine, which arrived on Tuesday (September 29). The record, produced by Judd's husband Cactus Moser, reflects Judd's raw, deeply vulnerable stories about her life. Judd spoke about the album in her new cover story with PEOPLE, and spoke about Naomi, raising her 4-year-old granddaughter, her relationship with sister Ashley Judd, working with Moser and more.

"I've spent a lifetime singing about heartbreak, healing, faith, and survival, but I've never made a record like this one," Judd said in a statement when she announced The Hard Truth. "These songs tell the truth about where I've been, what I've lost, what I've overcome, and who I've become. This album asked me to be brave enough to tell the truth-even when my voice shook. It challenged me to let go of perfectionism and embrace the beauty of honest emotion."

The Hard Truth will release on Friday (October 2).