Reba McEntire is singing Dolly Parton’s praises after the country music legend responded to a death hoax.
“You tell ‘em, Dolly. All that AI mess has got us doing all kinds of crazy things,” McEntire, 70, shared via Instagram on Thursday, October 9. “You’re out there dying. I’m out here having a baby. Well both of us know you’re too young and I’m too old for any of that kind of nonsense.”
In her latest Instagram video, The Voice coach showcased an AI-generated photo that appeared to show McEntire at the 9 to 5 star’s alleged deathbed.
Another AI-created image showed McEntire holding a sonogram with fiancée Rex Linn. Spoiler: Both are not real or accurate.
UPDATE — 10/8/25, 3 a.m. ET: Dolly Parton’s sister Freida clarified her comments asking fans to pray for the singer in a new Facebook post late Tuesday, October 7. “I want to clear something up. I didn’t mean to scare anyone or make it sound so serious when asking for prayers for Dolly,” Freida wrote. […]
While McEntire tried to poke fun at the “crazy” headlines, she also wanted to express her support for her longtime friend after she experienced a health scare.
“You better know I’m praying for you,” McEntire added. “I love you with all my heart, and I can’t wait to see you soon, love you.”
After sparking health concerns, Parton, 79, reassured her fans that she is feeling good in a Wednesday, October 8, social media video, which she made in between filming commercials for the Grand Ole Opry.
“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 explained. “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’s husband, Carl Dean, died in March at the age of 82.)
As for that fake photo of herself and McEntire circulating online, Parton had to set the record straight that it’s not real by any means.
“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 shared. “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. …. 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.”
Earlier this week, Dolly’s sister Freida Parton made headlines when she shared via Facebook that she was “up all night praying” for the “Jolene” singer.
Dolly’s manager, Olly Rowland, tried to assure fans on Tuesday, October 6, that Dolly is in good health.
Dolly Parton offered heartfelt words to her friend and fellow musician Kelly Clarkson following the death of Clarkson’s ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock. During an interview with Entertainment Tonight published Tuesday, August 12, the country music icon gave Clarkson, 43, a message that drew on insight gathered after Parton’s husband, Carl Dean, died at the age of […]
“It’s just the kidney stones, and the procedure she needs to resolve those,” the manager told the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “It looks like her sister posted, and it got quite a bit blown out of proportion, weirdly.”
After getting all the facts, McEntire appeared to have a good sense of humor about the whole situation.
“Too young to die, too old for babies 🤣,” she wrote via Instagram. “I love you, @DollyParton! See you soon ❤️.”
