Dolly Parton is reassuring her fans after sparking health concerns.
“I wanna say something,” Parton, 79, began via a two-minute social media video on Wednesday, October 8. “Well, today’s October the 8th and, obviously, I’m here doing some commercials for the Grand Ole Opry, which is why I’m dressed kinda like a country western girl.”
She continued, “But before I got started I wanted to say I know lately everybody thinks that I’m sicker than I am. Do I look sick to you? I’m working hard here. Anyway, I wanted to put everybody’s mind at ease, those of you that seem to be real concerned, which I appreciate. And I appreciate your prayers ’cause I’m a person of faith. I can always use the prayers for anything and everything. But I want you to know that I’m OK.”
Parton noted that she’s “got some [health] problems,” which she has “mentioned” previously.
“Back when my husband, Carl, was very sick, that was for a long time, and then when he passed I didn’t take care of myself, so I let a lot of things go that I should have been taking care of,” she said. “So, anyway, when I got around to it, the doctor said we need to take care of this, we need to take care of that. Nothing major, but I did have to cancel some things so I could be closer to home and closer to Vanderbilt [University Medical Center] where I’m kind of having a few treatments here and there. But I wanted you to know that I’m not dying.”
Parton went on to address a fake photo of her and Reba McEntire that had further fueled rumors.
“Did you see that AI picture of Reba and me? Ooh, Lordy. I mean, they had Reba at my deathbed. And we both looked like we needed to be buried,” she continued. “But I thought, ‘Oh, my Lord, if I was really dying, I don’t think Reba would be the one at my deathbed.’ She might come visit me earlier, but anyway, there are just a lot of rumors flying around, but I figured if you heard it from me you’d know that I was OK. So anyhow, that’s what I wanted to say, and I’m not ready to die yet. I don’t think God is through with me and I ain’t done working. So I love you for caring, and keep praying for me.”
Dolly’s sister Freida Parton had sent fans into a spiral on Tuesday, October 7, when she shared via Facebook that she was “up all night praying” for the “Jolene” singer.
“Many of you know she hasn’t been feeling her best lately. I truly believe in the power of prayer, and I have been led to ask all of the world that loves her to be prayer warriors and pray with me,” Freida continued. “She’s strong, she’s loved, and with all the prayers being lifted for her, I know in my heart she’s going to be just fine. Godspeed, my silly Dolly. We all love you.”
Dolly’s manager, Olly Rowland, later assured fans on Tuesday that Dolly is in good health.
“It’s just the kidney stones, and the procedure she needs to resolve those,” Rowland told the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “It looks like her sister posted, and it got quite a bit blown out of proportion, weirdly.”