Dolly Parton’s sister has said she didn’t mean to scare anyone when she asked fans to pray for the US country star.
The singer, 79, was recently forced to pull out of a Dollywood event after being diagnosed with a kidney stone that she said was causing “a lot of problems”.
After she also postponed a forthcoming Las Vegas residency, Freida Parton said her sister “hasn’t been feeling her best” and asked fans for their prayers.
But in a new post on Facebook, she clarified: “I want to clear something up. 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. It was nothing more than a little sister asking for prayers for her big sister.”
She added: “Thank you all for lifting her up. Your love truly makes a difference.”
A spokesperson for the singer also told CBS News, the BBC’s US partner, that she will be posting a social media message on Wednesday that “will address everyone’s concerns”.
The country music legend has delayed the December concerts, telling fans she needs “a few procedures” to deal with ongoing “health challenges”.
In the previous post, her sister said she had been “up all night praying for my sister”, who, she said, “hasn’t been feeling her best lately”.
“I truly believe in the power of prayer, and I have been lead to ask all of the world that loves her to be prayer warriors and pray with me.”
Freida Parton did, however, ended her message on an upbeat note.
“She’s strong, she’s loved, and with all the prayers being lifted for her, I know in my heart she’s going to be just fine,” she wrote. “Godspeed, my sissy Dolly. We all love you!”
Parton had been scheduled to perform six shows at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in December.
But she postponed the gigs until September next year, telling fans she needs “a few procedures” to deal with ongoing “health challenges”.
Earlier this year, the singer lost her husband Carl Dean after nearly 60 years of marriage.
She later dedicated a new song, If You Hadn’t Been There, to his memory.
The musician is best known for a string of country crossover hits including Coat of Many Colors, I Will Always Love You, 9 To 5 and Jolene.
Her Las Vegas stint would have been her first visit to the Strip since the 1990s, when she performed alongside her Islands In The Stream duet partner, Kenny Rogers.
