NEW YORK (AP) — Dolly Parton is here to stay. In a recent social media post, she reassured fans about her health, saying, “I ain’t dead yet.” The 79-year-old country star faced speculation about her well-being after postponing her Las Vegas residency. In a cheerful two-minute video on Instagram, she wanted to calm any worries. “I’m not ready to die yet. I don’t think God is through with me. And I ain’t done working,” she shared.
Parton faced health issues recently, leading her to delay performances she had planned for December in Las Vegas. Her shows, titled “Dolly: Live in Las Vegas,” are now set for September 2026. She mentioned needing some medical procedures, jokingly comparing it to a “100,000-mile check-up.”
In her video, Parton, sitting comfortably and looking vibrant, updated fans about her work at the Grand Ole Opry, celebrating its 100th anniversary. “Everyone thinks that I am sicker than I am. Do I look sick to you?” she asked playfully.
Concerns about her health were heightened after her sister, Freida Parton, posted about praying for Dolly. Freida later clarified that while Dolly had been feeling “a little under the weather,” there was no need for alarm. Dolly echoed this sentiment, explaining her recent health challenges stemmed from personal stress after her husband Carl Dean passed earlier this year.
It’s important to consider how celebrity health news can create waves of concern among fans. According to a 2022 survey by The Harris Poll, 72% of Americans say they worry about the well-being of celebrities they admire. Such connections can sometimes blur the line between public personas and private lives. Doll’s lighthearted approach to addressing her health reminds us how celebrities can use their platform to foster understanding and reassure their audience.
Dolly ended her video on a humorous note, poking fun at an AI-generated image that humorously placed her in a deathbed scenario with fellow country star Reba McEntire. “If I was really dying, I don’t think Reba would be the one at my death bed. She might come visit me earlier,” she joked, bringing a smile to her fans.
This incident highlights the importance of open communication between public figures and their supporters, emphasizing that health issues can be addressed without panic. Fans appreciate honesty and laughter, and Dolly Parton does both beautifully.
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