Stella Parton condemned “AI” and “endless garbage” circulating online after her sister Dolly Parton’s death, writing that the family has endured “incredible pressure” and “insensitivity” from strangers while they grieve.
In a Sept Instagram post, the 77-year-old singer-songwriter thanked fans who offered “genuine” support and love. The Christian Post reported that Dolly Parton died Aug. 25 at age 80 after a brief battle with cancer.
Her warning to fans
“Sadly, because of the ways our lives have been lived in front of the public, we have no choice but to be subjected to incredible pressure and insensitivity from strangers,” Stella Parton wrote. “There is a tremendous amount of AI and endless garbage being posted everyday and it’s been challenging to absorb and or ignore.”
She added that those who exploit “the loss and tragedies of others” will move on to “the next stampede of endless misinformation.” The Christian Post said it had reached out to Stella Parton for clarification on which AI-generated content she meant.
What surfaced online
Amid the mourning, an altered image of Dolly Parton and President Donald Trump walking around the White House was shared by Trump on his Truth Social account on Aug. 27, The Christian Post reported.
Separately, an AI-generated track posted Aug. 25 titled “I’ll Miss You Dolly” was falsely attributed online to Dolly Parton’s goddaughter Miley Cyrus, though she did not create it, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Family says Dolly chose privacy on health
In an interview with Extra after Dolly Parton’s death, niece Jada Star Roberts said the family kept the singer’s health struggles private. “We … kept all that stuff real private,” Roberts said. “And so, she never wanted to worry anybody.”
Roberts called the loss “really difficult and very surreal,” noting that fan tributes have been “really bittersweet.” “All of these tributes have helped so much to help us all through it,” she said, adding that her aunt would urge them to “start drying it up and start trying to get back to work and love each other real hard.”
Background on Roberts
Roberts, a singer-songwriter who performs as Jada Star, appeared on ABC’s Claim to Fame in 2023 under the pseudonym “Jane.” After her elimination, her connection to Dolly Parton was revealed, and Dolly appeared in a recorded video message for her niece, Roberts told Extra. Roberts recalled Dolly’s advice before the show: “Go out there. Don’t show your butt. … Keep your room clean.”
Asked what she wished she could have told her aunt, Roberts replied: “I think I would just say thank you so much and I love you so much, and I know you’re OK.”
