Reba McEntire is supporting her fellow country music star Dolly Parton days after the “Jolene” singer had to step in and dismiss rumors that she was dying.
“You tell ’em, Dolly,” McEntire posted in her Instagram Story on Thursday. “That AI mess has got us doing all kinds of crazy things. You’re out there dying, I’m out here having a baby. Well, both of us know you’re too young, and I’m too old for any of that kind of nonsense.”
McEntire added, “But you better know I’m praying for you. I love you with all my heart, and I can’t wait to see you soon. Love you!”
The “Fancy” singer’s message comes just one day after Parton, 79, dismissed concerns about her health, following her announcement last month that “health challenges” had caused her to reschedule a planned six-night gig in Las Vegas from December 2025 to September 2026, as well as her sister Freida Parton’s plea on Tuesday for fans to join her in praying for Parton.
The “I Will Always Love You” singer-songwriter reassured her supporters that she’s doing just fine.
“I wanted you to know that I’m not dying,” Parton shared on social media Wednesday. “I’m not ready to die yet. I don’t think God is through with me, and I ain’t done working. So I love you for caring and keep praying for me.”
Kevin Winter/Getty
The philanthropist said that she had focused on the health of her late husband, Carl Dean, when he was sick for years.
“I didn’t take care of myself so I let a lot of things go that I should have been taking care of,” Parton noted. “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 could be closer to home, closer to Vanderbilt where I’m kind of having some treatments here and there.”
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Parton had also had a chuckle over the AI image that depicts McEntire wiping away tears and praying at her longtime friend’s hospital bedside, as the “Here You Come Again” singer, who’s hooked up to a tube, looks despondent.
Another AI-generated image that recently made the rounds on the internet showed 70-year-old McEntire with fiancé Rex Linn cradling her round, pregnant belly as she holds up an ultrasound photo, while Parton looks on in surprise.
The Voice coach is the mother of NASCAR driver Shelby Blackstock, whose father is McEntire’s ex-husband, Narvel Blackstock. Linn is also McEntire’s costar on NBC sitcom Happy’s Place, but they are not expecting.
Maybe it’ll make a good country song?