It’s clear that Dolly Parton’s music, philanthropy, kindness, and overall essence impacted so many people. But as various influential people have taken to social media to share tributes to the country icon after her death, some of them have sparked quite a bit of backlash — not because there was anything inherently wrong with what they said, but because people view them as hypocritical.
J.K. Rowling is one of these people. Although she rose to fame as the author of the Harry Potter series, she has become known for her anti-trans views in recent years. So, when she took to social media to praise Dolly, people were immediately skeptical.
Dolly has been recognized for advocating for acceptance of everyone.
While she avoided commenting on partisan politics, she made her values very clear. She used her platform to advocate for love and inclusivity and show her support for the LGBTQ+ community. In 2023, The Hollywood Reporter asked her about discrimination against trans people in Tennessee, where she lived.
She answered, “Well, what I always say, ‘I just want everybody to be treated good.’ I try not to get into the politics of everything. I try to get into the human element of it. I have some of everybody in my own immediate family and in my circle of employees. I’ve got transgender people. I’ve got gays. I’ve got lesbians. I’ve got drunks. I’ve got drug addicts — all within my own family. I know and love them all, and I do not judge.”
“And I just see how broken-hearted they get over certain things and I know how real they are,” she continued at the time. “I know how important this is to them. That’s who they are. They cannot help that any more than I can help being Dolly Parton, you know, the way people know me. If there’s something to be judged, that is God’s business. But we are all God’s children and how we are is who we are.”
Meanwhile, J.K. Rowling is frequently criticized for her transphobia and hostility.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library was the best contribution to child literacy ever made by a celebrity. Our paths crossed once, in the 90s, backstage at a talk show, and I was completely tongue-tied and starstruck. RIP Dolly. You were a complete, irreplaceable one-off.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) August 25, 2026
But on August 25, she shared a tribute to Dolly on social media, as many other celebrities did. In her post, she mostly focused on Dolly’s charitable work, specifically highlighting her Imagination Library book gifting program.
“Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library was the best contribution to child literacy ever made by a celebrity,” she wrote. “Our paths crossed once, in the 90s, backstage at a talk show, and I was completely tongue-tied and starstruck. RIP Dolly. You were a complete, irreplaceable one-off.”
People didn’t disagree, but the post still sparked backlash. “She was a great lady who stood up for kindness, compassion and human decency – you could learn from her,” one response read.
“A woman who used her wealth to raise up and give back to marginalized……there’s a lesson there…….” someone else wrote.
Some comments were much harsher than others.
Well, joke’s on you, because neither of us want Jolene to take our man. pic.twitter.com/0rrPU2tqrb
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) August 25, 2026
Because some of the critics urged the author to take notes, while others argued that she had no business even speaking about Dolly. “You and her not even comparable,” someone wrote in response. “Her legacy is a humanitarian that loves marginalized groups. You are a pest that attacks those you deem lesser than for sport. You two are NOT the same.”
“While it’s nice you’re paying tribute to such an incredible human being, you should study up on her philanthropic efforts and take a lesson or two (or 5 million) on how she lived and treated others, especially those from the margins of society,” another commenter wrote.
Others told her that it’s not too late to change paths. “You could have supported a library and getting kids to read,” a third critic said. “You chose to campaign about other things. Never too late.”
The Harry Potter author responded directly to some of the criticism, including a post that read, “You know you and Dolly have nothing to agree upon, you f—ing monster.” In response, she wrote, “Well, joke’s on you, because neither of us want Jolene to take our man.”
READ NEXT: Dolly Parton Told Christians To Stop Judging Gay People: ‘If You’re Gay, You’re Gay’
