Stella Parton, the younger sister of country music legend Dolly Parton, publicly condemned the spread of fake AI-generated images and videos that have appeared online since her sister's death last month.

Dolly Parton died August 25 at age 80 following a brief battle with cancer. Her family announced the death, noting she passed at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville surrounded by loved ones.

In an Instagram post Friday, Stella Parton, who is 77, thanked those who offered genuine condolences while criticizing the volume of insensitive content. She described "a tremendous amount of AI and endless garbage being posted everyday" that has proven challenging for the family to ignore.

Stella Parton highlighted the pressure that comes with a public life, saying the family has no choice but to face insensitivity from strangers. She called out individuals who exploit loss and tragedy for attention, noting they will eventually move on to the next story.

The post urged greater compassion and wisdom moving forward. Stella Parton suggested using her sister's life as an example of tolerance and respect toward others. She added that the focus should not be on clever comments, fake AI content, or snarky remarks, but on personal integrity at the end of a life.

Stella Parton also praised her sister's generosity and kindness in earlier remarks following the death. She encouraged fans to honor Dolly's legacy by showing more kindness, lifting others, and giving time and resources, as Dolly continued to do until the end.

Dolly Parton's passing prompted widespread tributes across the music industry and beyond. The singer-songwriter, known for hits including "Jolene," "Coat of Many Colors," and "I Will Always Love You," built a career spanning six decades and influenced generations with her distinctive style and philanthropy.

The influx of AI-generated material has drawn attention amid the mourning period, reflecting broader concerns about technology creating misleading content about public figures.