Dolly Parton wants her fans to know that she’s not dying, thank you very much.
The country legend, 79, hopped online to calm everyone down after her sister Freida recently asked for prayers and accidentally sent the internet into a spiral of panic.
In a new video from the set of an upcoming Grand Ole Opry commercial, Dolly looked radiant as ever and made it clear she’s still got plenty of songs left to sing. “I know lately everybody thinks that I am sicker than I am,” she said with a laugh.
“Do I look sick to you? I’m working hard here! Anyway, I wanted to put everybody’s mind at ease, and I appreciate your prayers because I’m a person of faith.”
Dolly explained that she hasn’t been feeling her best, but it’s nothing dramatic. “When [my husband Carl] passed, I didn’t take care of myself,” she admitted. “So I let a lot of things go that I should have been taking care of.” She added that she’s fine, though, and that her faith and fans’ love keep her going. “There are just a lot of rumors flying around, but I figured if you heard it from me, you’d know that I was okay. I don’t think God is through with me and I ain’t done working.”
Her rep confirmed that Dolly is in good health and just waiting for a procedure to deal with some kidney stones. Nothing more, nothing less.
As for Freida, she’s grateful fans rallied behind her sister but said she didn’t mean to alarm anyone. “Thank you all for lifting her up,” Freida wrote. “Your love truly makes a difference.”
So rest easy, Dolly fans. The Queen of Country isn’t going anywhere.
She’s still busy working, still cracking jokes, and still shining like rhinestones under a spotlight.
