Country singer Allie Colleen, the daughter of Garth Brooks, is facing widespread online backlash over an Instagram post published after the death of Dolly Parton.
The 30-year-old artist shared a text message following Parton's death at age 80 on Tuesday, opening the tribute by stating that her greatest fear in life is the day her famous father dies.
Brooks had Colleen during his marriage to his former wife, Sandy Mahl, to whom he was married from 1986 to 2001. Colleen is the youngest of the former couple's three daughters, alongside older sisters Taylor and August. Brooks, famous for his hit song Friends in Low Places, is now married to fellow country singer Trisha Yearwood.
In her social media post, Colleen explained her feelings about her father's eventual passing. "And I have to see the world mourn a man they never knew the way I knew him," she wrote to her followers.
Parton enjoyed an illustrious country music career spanning seven decades and was best known for worldwide hits including Jolene and 9 to 5.
Despite opening her tribute with comments about her father, Colleen went on to offer condolences to those closest to the late music icon. "To the personal family and friends of Mrs Dolly, you have all my love and condolences today and forever going forward," she wrote.
Colleen described Parton's life as a "huge, beautiful, special" one to have loved and grieved, before thanking Parton's family for sharing the star with the public. "What a huge, beautiful, special life to have loved and to grieve. Thank you for sharing her with us all," the message continued.
In an accompanying caption, Colleen added that "what a beautiful privilege it is to mourn," writing: "To grieve is to know you loved deeply and fully. To the woman we all love, and all those who grieve for her - I love you all."
She concluded her original statement with a final request to her readers: "Please respect the family and her personal friends <3"
Instagram tribute sparks backlash
The social media statement quickly drew negative reactions from Instagram users who argued that the tribute was self-centred and shifted focus away from Parton's memory.
Critics accused Colleen of making the country legend's passing about her own personal anxieties rather than honoring Parton's legacy.
"That is a really odd comment. This is about Dolly, not how you will feel when the time comes," one user wrote in response.
Another commenter noted: "Your greatest fear in life? Lucky lady!... There is an art to expressing oneself eloquently which some people don't possess. Yes, it seems odd, but let's be kind anyway - like Dolly would have been."
A third person strongly condemned the post, writing: "Gross. Regardless of a person’s public personality, a family is mourning the loss of their person. Don’t make it about you. Dolly deserves a memorial post about her, not about you."
While some followers noted that they understood the sentiment Colleen was attempting to express, they criticized the timing of her message.
Accusations of nepo baby attitude
The criticism intensified as several social media users accused Colleen of displaying a privileged "nepo-baby" perspective. Other commenters noted that her statement appeared to insinuate her bond with Brooks was somehow stronger than any other child's bond with their parent.
One critic commented: "How selfish.. shame on her. Karma will win. And may Miss Dolly rest in peace, sweet angel ❤️"
Another Instagram user remarked: "Well you definitely got your narcissistic attitude from your daddy."
Colleen, who launched her own country music career and released her debut album Stones in 2021, did not leave the criticism unanswered.
Colleen responds to online critics
Following the online outcry, Colleen clapped back by replying directly to several of her critics on Instagram.
When one user suggested that fans of Brooks "will understand your pain" if her father were to pass away, Colleen rejected the comparison.
"I don’t think you will... I would never relate to you losing your father - I don’t know how you would relate to mine. Kind of exactly what I am talking about," Colleen replied.
Responding to another user, she reinforced her stance: "I would never act like I understand how much you grieve anyone - that’s all I am saying."
Colleen further defended her decision to post the message on her personal account, explaining her perspective as a musician raised in the entertainment industry.
"This is my account - I am saying I don’t know how to respond to these things in my industry because of my life experiences," Colleen wrote. "I’m not telling anyone else how to grieve. I’m just acknowledging the family. You do you, babe."
