Not every celebrity tribute to Dolly Parton is being warmly received.
Jeff Bezos, J.K. Rowling and Ricky Schroder are among the public figures facing backlash online over messages they shared following the country music legend's death Tuesday, Aug. 27, at age 80.
While each paid tribute to Parton and her legacy, social media users took issue with the posts for different reasons – from Bezos' immense wealth to Rowling's views on transgender issues and Schroder's decision to use his tribute to highlight political disagreements he had with Parton.
Here's what the three figures had to say and the backlash they've received since.
Jeff Bezos' Dolly Parton Instagram post draws criticism
Bezos remembered Parton in an Instagram post alongside a throwback photo of the pair from 2022, when the Amazon founder presented
her with the Bezos Courage and Civility Award. The honor included $100 million for Parton to direct toward charitable causes.
"Dolly spent her whole life showing us what it means to lead with love," Bezos wrote, adding that he and his wife, Lauren Sánchez Bezos, were grateful to have known the singer. "She lifted everyone with her music, her generosity, and her joy."
Bezos also offered condolences to her family.
But some commenters pushed back against the billionaire's tribute, contrasting his wealth with Parton's reputation for philanthropy. One commenter accused Bezos and his wife of making a "performative" gesture and many others encouraged him to follow Parton's example by donating his wealth towards the causes she dedicated her life supporting. Another wrote that Parton was "the antithesis" of what Bezos represents.
Parton’s charitable work included launching the Imagination Library in 1995 to provide free books to young children. She also donated $1 million to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in 2020, which helped fund early research connected to Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine.
JK Rowling fires back after response to Dolly Parton tribute
"Harry Potter" author J.K. Rowling also encountered criticism after posting a tribute to Parton on X.
Rowling praised Parton's Imagination Library as an extraordinary contribution to children's literacy and recalled meeting the singer backstage at a talk show in the 1990s. She remembered Parton as a "complete, irreplaceable one-off."
"Dolly Parton's Imagination Library was the best contribution to child literacy ever made by a celebrity," said Rowling's post. "Our paths crossed once, in the 90s, backstage at a talk show, and I was completely tongue-tied and starstruck."The author's message quickly drew criticism from users who pointed to Parton's history as an LGBTQ+ ally and Rowling's controversial views and comments about transgender issues.
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
One response went considerably further, telling Rowling, "It should have been you."Rowling shared a screenshot of the message and fired back, writing, "Top tips for wishing death on people in public," before pointing out that the user had identifying information listed in their profile.
When another critic argued that Rowling and Parton had little in common, Rowling responded with a joke referencing Parton's hit "Jolene," saying neither woman wanted Jolene to take their man.
Ricky Schroder Dolly Parton tribute criticized for bringing up politics
Actor Ricky Schroder faced perhaps the sharpest reaction after using his tribute to note areas where he disagreed with Parton.
Schroder, who portrayed Parton’s father in two biopic TV movies, the 2015 movie "Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors," and the 2016 "Dolly Parton's Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love," posted a photo with the singer on Instagram along with a tribute that rubbed many the wrong way.
"I didn't agree with her advocating for Transgender & Covid Vaccine support," Schroder said in his post before adding that he "loved her anyway." He then thanked Parton for choosing him to be her "Movie Daddy."
The post drew criticism from commenters who questioned why Schroder chose to mention his disagreements with Parton while memorializing her. Critics described the message as disrespectful and "foul," according to The Hollywood Reporter.
One commenter wrote: "If you don’t have anything nice to say don’t say it at all." Another said Schroder was "making this about himself so he can be relevant for five minutes."
Schroder continued addressing the issue on Instagram stories, sharing a clip of Parton supporting the COVID-19 vaccine and writing that he had warned her against supporting what he called the "Experiment."
Parton, whose career spanned more than six decades, was widely remembered following her death not only for songs including "Jolene," "9 to 5" and "I Will Always Love You," but also for her philanthropy and advocacy. Those parts of her legacy have now become central to the debate over who gets to pay tribute to the country icon and how.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dolly Parton tributes from Jeff Bezos, Ricky Schroder spark backlash
