Shaboozey Honors Dolly Parton’s Global Influence at 2026 CFDA Fashion Awards

Collins Obinna Chibueze, known as Shaboozey, reflected on Dolly Parton’s worldwide impact during the 2026 CFDA Fashion Awards. Speaking with PEOPLE, Shaboozey emphasized the late country icon’s influence, remarking, “She was one of my dad’s favorite country artists.” Dolly Parton passed away at age 80 on August 25, leaving behind a legacy cherished by many, including Shaboozey’s family.

“He was born in Nigeria and grew up there. The fact that he knows Dolly Parton just shows you how much of a global impact she had on the entire world, not just Nashville,” explained Shaboozey. He admired Parton’s activism and contributions to the evolution of country music, concluding, “Dolly Parton forever.”

Shaboozey released “The Outlaw Cherie Lee & Other Western Tales” this July. His album features “Cowgirl,” a song referencing Parton’s “9 to 5” in its lyrics: “Meet me on the dance floor, two-step to the left / Girl, you found the right one, Dolly said it best / Treat it like a 9 to 5, we ain’t gettin’ any rest / You can order what you want, girl, this tab don’t ever end.”

At the CFDA Fashion Awards, Shaboozey commented on Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas,” which recently achieved the longest-running No. 1 single on the Billboard Hot 100. “It’s cool to see Ella Langley getting the longest number one of all time,” said Shaboozey. Her song surpassed his “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” which had tied Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road” for 19 weeks. Shaboozey noted, “Just seeing country music becoming what it is and fun and everybody enjoying it in just different places, again, it’s what Dolly would’ve wanted as well. So it’s just cool to see women really kicking butt. I’ll say that.”