Dolly Parton’s younger sister, Stella Parton, has criticised the “tremendous amount of AI and endless garbage” circulating online following the death of the country music icon.
Stella, who is also a singer, said her family appreciated the genuine messages of love and support they had received during their bereavement but had found the volume of misinformation and AI-generated content difficult to deal with.
“Sadly, because of the way our lives have been lived in front of the public, we have no choice but to be subjected to incredible pressure and insensitivity from strangers,” Stella wrote on Instagram.
“There is a tremendous amount of AI and endless garbage being posted everyday and it’s been challenging to absorb and or ignore.”
She warned that people who profit from online speculation surrounding tragedy would eventually move on to the next high-profile death.
“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,” she wrote.
Stella’s comments come amid growing concerns from the families of deceased celebrities about the use of artificial intelligence to recreate their loved ones’ voices, appearances and identities.
The children of late actor Robin Williams recently revived his Instagram account in an effort to counter what his daughter Zelda Williams described as “rampant AI abuse” of his voice and likeness.
“As technology evolves, we want this to be a safe, trusted place where the stories, photos, videos, and memories shared reflect his legacy with authenticity, warmth, and care,” Zelda said.
The family of actor Robert Redford has also raised concerns over AI-generated material. His daughter, Amy Redford, previously criticised fabricated depictions of her father’s funeral, as well as fake tributes and quotes attributed to family members.
“Renderings of my dad who clearly has no say, and depictions of my family that do not represent anyone in a positive light are extra challenging during a difficult time,” she said.
Dolly Parton died on August 25 at the age of 80 following what her family described as a brief battle with cancer. She was laid to rest beside her husband, Carl Dean, at Nashville’s Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum following an intimate funeral.
Dean died in March 2025 at the age of 82.
Stella said her family would eventually come to terms with their loss, while acknowledging that each member would grieve differently.
“Each of us will grieve in our own personal way,” she wrote. “Every human being experiences pain and loss in life and my family is no different.”
She added that Dolly would have been “surprised and delighted” by the outpouring of love shown to her family and fans.
“She loved her fans and the public in general,” Stella wrote, adding that this was why Dolly often chose not to publicly express her views on subjects including politics, religion and other public figures.
