Dolly Parton’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame has been replaced after vandals defaced the landmark following the death of the country music legend last week.
Fans had gathered around the star in Hollywood, Los Angeles, leaving flowers and candles in tribute to Parton, whose star was unveiled in 1984.
However, photos shared on Monday showed the star had been vandalised, with scratches leaving Parton’s name badly defaced.
The damage prompted repairs, with the Hollywood Historic Trust and Hollywood Chamber of Commerce announcing that a replacement star would be unveiled on Friday.
“The Hollywood Historic Trust and Hollywood Chamber of Commerce are proud to honour the legacy of Dolly Parton with a replacement of her star,” the organisation said in a statement shared on Instagram.
“The new star will be available for viewing this Friday.”
Ana Martinez of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce said tribute items left around the star had been cleared before repair work began.
She added that repairs had already been scheduled because the original star had developed cracks before it was vandalised.
The Hollywood Walk of Fame, one of Los Angeles’ most recognisable landmarks, features more than 2,800 stars embedded along Hollywood Boulevard to honour achievements across the entertainment industry.
Parton’s death at the age of 80 prompted an outpouring of tributes from the music industry and beyond.
The singer-songwriter, known for hits including 9 to 5 and Jolene, was laid to rest beside her late husband, Carl Dean, at a private family funeral in Nashville on Friday.
The following evening, one of Parton’s nieces, Jada Star, performed at a tribute concert at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry House, widely regarded as the home of country music.
Meanwhile, Parton’s Tennessee theme park, Dollywood, has announced new features in honour of its “dreamer-in-chief.”
Parton purchased the attraction in 1982 and envisioned it as a counterpart to Disneyland. It has since grown into Tennessee’s largest ticketed tourist attraction, welcoming about four million visitors annually.
Among the new additions will be a waterfall outside the front steps of the park’s chapel, creating what Dollywood described as a “peaceful setting for guests to pause, reflect and enjoy the natural beauty” of the area.
The chapel will also receive new stained-glass windows inspired by one of Parton’s favourite Bible verses: “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.”
In another tribute, Dollywood will introduce a new character called the Dream Maker next year, inspired by Parton’s love of children and her Imagination Library book-donation programme.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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