Country legend Reba McEntire has had enough of artificial intelligence gone wild. In a fiery yet humorous statement shared via her Instagram Stories, the Fancy singer called out the rise of AI-generated fake images circulating online — particularly those that targeted her and her longtime friend, Dolly Parton.

The fakes, which have been making the rounds on social media, were not only absurd but deeply personal. One image falsely showed Dolly Parton lying on her “deathbed” in a hospital, with Reba McEntire sitting prayerfully by her side. Another doctored photo depicted McEntire herself as pregnant with her fiancé Rex Linn, smiling and holding up an ultrasound photo.

In true Reba fashion, the country star decided to take on the rumors directly — mixing her outrage with a healthy dose of humor.

“You tell ’em, Dolly,” McEntire wrote on Instagram. “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.”

AI Fakery Hits Country Icons

The controversy started when fans became alarmed by a fake image showing Dolly Parton appearing frail in a hospital bed — accompanied by false claims that she was gravely ill. The picture spread rapidly on social media shortly after Parton announced she would postpone her Las Vegas residency due to unspecified “health challenges.”

Parton, ever the entertainer, later assured fans that while she was taking time to focus on her well-being, the exaggerated rumors of her death were, quite literally, greatly exaggerated.

“I’m not ready to die yet,” she told fans, laughing off the speculation. “I didn’t take care of myself, so I let a lot of things go that I should have been taking care of… 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.”

The singer’s transparency about her health calmed worried fans — but the viral spread of fake content highlighted just how dangerous AI-generated misinformation can be, especially when it plays on fears and emotions.

“I Love You, Dolly” — Reba’s Real Message

Amid the chaos, McEntire made sure to remind both her fans and Parton’s of what really matters: friendship, faith, and laughter.

“You better know I’m praying for you,” McEntire wrote in a heartfelt message to Parton. “I love you with all my heart, and I can’t wait to see you soon. Love you!”

Her message struck a chord with fans, many of whom praised Reba for addressing the issue with honesty and warmth.

Dolly Fires Back — With Classic Dolly Humor

Never one to miss a chance for a witty comeback, Dolly Parton also took to social media to respond to the viral “deathbed” photo. In classic Dolly style, she turned the fake narrative into a punchline.

“If I was really dying,” she joked, “I don’t think Reba would be the one at my deathbed.”

She added with a grin that she hoped her friend might “come visit me earlier” — a reminder that even in the face of misinformation, Dolly’s charm and humor remain unshakable.

A Serious Issue Behind the Laughter

While both stars managed to laugh off the bizarre situation, McEntire’s comments underscore a growing problem in the digital age — AI-generated misinformation that blurs the line between reality and fiction. From fake political statements to doctored celebrity images, the technology has already proven its potential for harm when left unchecked.

For McEntire and Parton — two women who have spent decades building their reputations on authenticity, warmth, and connection with fans — these false images weren’t just ridiculous; they were disrespectful.

McEntire’s blunt yet good-natured response drew widespread praise online, with fans applauding her for standing up to AI fakery while still keeping her trademark Southern wit intact.

“Reba handled that like a queen,” one fan commented. “Leave it to her to turn an insult into a laugh and a life lesson.”

Country Queens Against AI Lies

The friendship between McEntire and Parton spans decades — a bond built on mutual respect, faith, and humor. Both women have long represented the heart and soul of country music, reminding audiences that kindness and authenticity never go out of style.

Their joint response to the AI hoax has now become a viral moment of unity — not just between two beloved icons, but between artists and fans who are increasingly wary of digital deception.

As McEntire summed it up perfectly:

“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.”

With that, the country duo proved that while AI might fake their stories, no algorithm can replicate their grace, grit, or sense of humor.

In the end, Reba and Dolly turned a digital disaster into a reminder of what makes them legends: truth, laughter, and a friendship stronger than any rumor — AI or otherwise.