It takes more than a viral hoax to rattle country music legends Dolly Parton and Reba McEntire.
When an AI-generated image recently circulated showing Reba sitting at Dolly’s ‘deathbed,’ the country icons didn’t just shut it down, they made things very clear.
Parton, 79, who has been facing health struggles recently, weighed in, saying in a recent video, ‘Did you see that AI picture of Reba and me? They had Reba at my deathbed – and we both looked like we needed to be buried!’
She added, laughing, ‘If I was really dying, I don’t think Reba would be the one at my deathbed. She might come visit me earlier.’
Reba, 70, also addressed the fake photo on Instagram: ‘You tell ’em, Dolly, that AI mess has got us doing all kinds of crazy things,’ she said, before pointing out another doctored image claiming she was having a baby.
She concluded with the fabulous line: ‘Well, both of us know you’re too young and I’m too old for any of that kind of nonsense.’
Her caption summed up the absurdity with Southern precision: ‘Too young to die, too old for babies 😂 I love you, @DollyParton! See you soon ❤️.’
The sweet online interaction comes after Dolly recently postponed her Las Vegas residency due to health issues.
In addition to that, weeks ago the 9 to 5 songstress pulled out of an appearance at her Dollywood theme park due to a kidney stone ‘causing [her] problems’.
Soon after, her manager, Olly Rowland, has now confirmed that Dolly’s sister may have accidentally given the impression that Dolly is more ill than she is, adding: ‘It’s just the kidney stones, and the procedure she needs to resolve those.
‘It looks like her sister posted, and it got quite a bit blown out of proportion, weirdly.’
The statement refers to an alarming message Frieda posted on Facebook after Dolly’s cancelled dates were first announced.
‘Last night, I was up all night praying for my sister, Dolly,’ she began.
‘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.
‘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 sissy Dolly. We all love you!’
Her message sparked a huge response from fans, who feared the worst for Dolly because of her sister’s concern.
Dolly then addressed the outpouring of fan support, taking to social media in a video message.
She said: ‘Lately everybody thinks I’m sicker than I am. Do I look sick to you? I’m working hard here. I wanted to put y’all mind at ease, those of you who seem real concerned, which I appreciate.’
‘I appreciate your prayers. I’m a person of faith. I can always use the prayers for everything. I wanted you to know that I’m okay. I had some problems with my husband Carl when he was very sick. Then when he passed I didn’t take care of myself so I let a lot of things go that I should have taken care of.
‘So 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 can be closer to home where I’m having a few treatments here and there. But I wanted you to know, I’m not dying!’
