Connie Britton Mourns Dolly Parton and Hayden Panettiere in Emotional Tributes

Connie Britton is mourning the deaths of two people connected to her career: country music legend Dolly Parton and her former “Nashville” co-star Hayden Panettiere.

Britton paid tribute to Parton on Instagram after the singer died Tuesday. The actress recalled meeting Parton in 2022, when she moderated a SXSW panel about Parton and James Patterson’s novel “Run, Rose, Run.”

Britton said she imagined conversations with Parton after her death and shared the message she felt the singer would give her: to embrace every part of herself, use her talents generously, and bring joy and honesty to others. “Thank you Dolly,” Britton wrote.

Less than two weeks earlier, Britton had honored Panettiere, who appeared alongside her on “Nashville” for six seasons. Following news of Panettiere’s death, Britton described her former co-star as “bursting with brilliance” and wrote, “I have no words for this sad song. Just heartbreak.”

Other stars also remembered Parton, including Sally Field, Julia Roberts, Paul McCartney and Eminem. They praised her talent, generosity and lasting influence on music and popular culture.