Stella Parton is opening up about life after losing her beloved sister, Dolly Parton.
Ten days after the country music legend’s death, Stella shared an emotional message about grief, family, and the wave of misinformation that has followed Dolly’s passing.
Dolly died at 80 on Aug. 25, according to a video shared that day by her nephew Bryan Seaver. Her representatives later confirmed that the iconic singer died after a “brief battle with cancer.”
Stella Says Her Family Is Grieving In Their Own Way
On Friday, Sept. 4, Stella used her Instagram “coffee hour” to give fans an update on how she and her family are handling the devastating loss.
She began by expressing gratitude to everyone who has offered sincere support to the family during their time of mourning.
“We will be okay in time but each of us will grieve in our personal way,” she wrote. “Every human being experiences pain and loss in life and my family is no different.”
Stella acknowledged that being part of a famous family comes with an added layer of scrutiny, especially during difficult moments.
Because her family has lived so much of their lives in the public eye, she said they have been forced to deal with what she described as “incredible pressure and insensitivity from strangers.”
She Calls Out AI And Misinformation
Stella also addressed the flood of online content surrounding Dolly’s death, saying the family has struggled to process the amount of misinformation circulating online.
“There is a tremendous amount of AI and endless garbage being posted everyday and it’s been challenging to absorb and/or ignore,” she wrote.
© Getty ImagesShe predicted that eventually, the people profiting from tragedy and spreading misinformation would move on to another story.
“As time passes, those who are in the business of exploiting the loss and tragedies of others on a daily basis will move on to the next stampede of endless misinformation,” Stella continued.
Still, she said Dolly likely would have been touched by the outpouring of genuine love and support directed toward her family.
Dolly Chose Love Over Controversy
According to Stella, her sister intentionally avoided weighing in on plenty of controversial topics, including politics, because of how easily those conversations could become divisive.
Dolly loved her fans and the public, Stella explained, and understood the negativity that could come from publicly taking sides on certain issues.
© JB Lacroix“She knew as well as anyone what a negative vortex that could turn into, which is nothing but a huge waste of positive energy,” Stella wrote.
Instead, Stella said Dolly focused on being a positive presence and using her music to make an impact on people's lives.
She described her late sister as someone with a heart that was “so big and tender.”
Stella Wants Dolly’s Legacy To Inspire Others
As she continues navigating her grief, Stella encouraged people to take a lesson from Dolly’s life and legacy.
She urged everyone to approach one another with more “compassion and wisdom” and to embrace tolerance and respect.
“Use my sister’s life as an example for tolerance and respect toward others,” Stella wrote. “It’s not about the most clever comments, fake AI garbage, or snarky tweets.”
© Getty ImagesStella ultimately reminded her followers that online opinions and attention don't matter nearly as much as how people feel about themselves and the way they've treated others.
“At the end of the day or the end of your life, how will you feel about yourself?” she asked. “It’s not about what other individuals you will never meet think of you.”
