Stella Parton, sister of the late country music icon Dolly Parton, has expressed a lack of condolences from her peers in the music industry following Dolly's passing on August 25. Stella, 77, stated in a "CBS Mornings" interview that she has not received any messages of sympathy from entertainers she knows.
"Nobody. Not one," Stella Parton said during the interview, which aired in full on Thursday. She indicated that she has not heard from anyone in the country music scene since her sibling died at the age of 80.
Stella Parton speculated that her own political activism on social media might be a reason for the silence from other artists. She did not name specific individuals or groups she was referring to.
Earlier in August, Stella Parton had posted on social media expressing opposition to President Donald Trump. In contrast, Dolly Parton was known for maintaining political neutrality throughout her career, a stance Stella described as a decision made by a "good businesswoman."
When asked about her political views in relation to her sister's, Stella Parton declined to comment. "I will not talk about that," she told "CBS Mornings" anchor Gayle King.
Dolly Parton herself often spoke about her decision to avoid public political statements. In an October 2017 interview with Fox News, she stated, "I don’t voice my political opinions. I just get out there and entertain. To me, that’s what I do."
In subsequent interviews, Dolly Parton reiterated her desire to remain an individual and not be drawn into political discourse, noting she had friends on both sides of the political spectrum and preferred not to voice her opinions. She died after a private health battle.
Despite the reported lack of industry condolences, Dolly Parton has been honored with a tribute at the Grand Ole Opry and a nod from Buckingham Palace, along with numerous social media posts from celebrities.