Country music legend Dolly Parton is resting and recovering after postponing her Las Vegas residency due to health concerns — and despite a viral social media post that sparked rumors, her family is assuring fans that the beloved singer is doing just fine.
The commotion began when Dolly’s sister, Freida Parton, took to Facebook asking for prayers for her 79-year-old sister, writing that she’d been “up all night praying” and urging fans worldwide to join her. Given Dolly’s iconic status and recent cancellation of shows, the post spread like wildfire — leaving many fans fearing the worst.
But Freida quickly clarified her remarks after seeing the panic they caused. “I want to clear something up,” she wrote in a follow-up post. “I didn’t mean to scare anyone or make it sound so serious when asking for prayers for Dolly. She’s been a little under the weather, and I simply asked for prayers because I believe so strongly in the power of prayer.”
Dolly’s representatives also stepped in to set the record straight. Her publicist, **Olly Rowland**, confirmed to the *Las Vegas Review-Journal* that the country superstar is dealing with kidney stones and is undergoing a simple procedure to take care of them. “It’s just the kidney stones,” Rowland said, noting that Freida’s post had been “blown out of proportion.”
While fans were understandably concerned, Dolly herself had already told her followers that she was taking time off to prioritize her health. Last month, she announced that her six-show Las Vegas residency — originally set for December 2025 — would be postponed to September 2026.
“As many of you know, I’ve been dealing with some health challenges, and my doctors tell me that I must have a few procedures,” she explained. True to form, Dolly even found a way to make light of the situation: “It must be time for my 100,000-mile check-up,” she joked. “Although it’s not the usual trip to see my plastic surgeon!”
In a heartfelt message to her fans, Dolly emphasized that she never wants to give less than her best. “You pay good money to see me perform, and I want to be at my best for you,” she said. “In all seriousness, I just need to take the time to heal. Don’t worry about me quittin’ — God hasn’t said anything about stopping yet.”
The singer had already faced similar health challenges earlier this year. In September, she was forced to miss a Dollywood event after doctors ordered her not to travel due to pain from kidney stones. In a pre-recorded video message, she reassured fans that she’d be back on her feet soon.
Dolly Parton has been a symbol of strength, grace, and faith throughout her decades-long career — and it’s no surprise that her sister’s first instinct was to call for prayer. In an era when celebrities often shy away from faith, the Parton family’s openness about relying on God’s power is a reminder of what has long made Dolly so beloved: her humility, her humor, and her unwavering belief in something higher than herself.
For now, fans can rest easy — their favorite country queen is taking time to heal, pray, and, as always, keep shining.
