Stella Parton has released a public plea as the family continues to mourn her sister Dolly Parton's death last month at the age of 80.
Late last week in an Instagram statement, Stella Parton thanked fans for the "genuine" support, urging them to use her sister's life as an "example for tolerance and respect towards others."
At the same time, she asked them to "show more compassion and wisdom."
The 77-year-old singer-songwriter says the family has been subjected to "pressure" and "insensitivity" from strangers following the death of Dolly, who died on Aug 25 after a private battle with cancer.
"There is a tremendous amount of [artificial intelligence] and endless garbage being posted everyday and it's been challenging to absorb and or ignore," Stella wrote in her Sept 4 statement.
"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."
While it is not clear what AI content Stella was referring to, AI-generated images of Dolly surged online following her death.
On Aug 27, President Donald Trump uploaded a fake image on Truth Social of the two walking around the White House. Another online user created an AI song that has amassed over 1.5 million views since its upload on Aug. 25. The song was falsely credited to pop singer Miley Cyrus, Dolly's goddaughter..
"She loved her fans and the public in general. That is the reason she chose not to express her opinions on a lot of things like politics, religion and individuals in the public eye," Stella wrote in the Instagram post.
"She knew as well as anyone what a negative vortex that could turn into which is nothing but a huge waste of positive energy."
Last year, Dolly critiqued AI content when clearing rumours surrounding her health, which swirled online after sister Freida Parton asked the public for prayers in a Facebook post on Oct. 7, 2025, in which she stated that the singer "hasn't been feeling her best lately."
"Did you see that AI picture of Reba and me? Oh lordy, I mean, they had Reba at my death bed and we both looked like we need to be buried," Dolly said on Instagram on Oct 8, 2025.
Toward the end of her Instagram statement, Stella said her plea is less about the "fake AI garbage" or "snarky tweets," and more about encouraging the community to look within: "How will you feel about yourself? It's not about what other individuals you will never meet think of you!"
Stella is best known for her 1975 hit I Want to Hold You In My Dreams Tonight and a country and gospel discography that spans 21 studio albums. Also known for her acting in The Dukes Of Hazzard and The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas, Stella made the distinction between her and her older sister clear at the end of her statement: "I've always embraced my own personality and will continue to be myself and express my opinions as I deem appropriate regardless of what anyone thinks of me."
"Dolly loved the world and everyone in it," Stella wrote on Aug 27 on Instagram in her first statement after her sister's death. "I would criticise and complain about it and she would laugh and say; 'shoot Tedda, we've got more important things to do than worry about their silly a—.' She was right, and she proved it every day." – Los Angeles Times/TNS
