J.K. Rowling joined the many public figures paying tribute to Dolly Parton following the country music legend’s death at 80, but the Harry Potter author’s remembrance quickly drew hostile responses from some of her critics on social media.
Rowling, who has been at the center of years of controversy over her views on sex and gender identity, focused her initial message on Parton’s work promoting childhood literacy and on a brief encounter the two women had decades ago.
“Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library was the best contribution to child literacy ever made by a celebrity,” Rowling wrote.
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
Parton launched the Imagination Library in 1995 to provide books to young children. Rowling then recalled crossing paths with Parton during the 1990s.
“Our paths crossed once, in the 90s, backstage at a talk show, and I was completely tongue-tied and starstruck,” she wrote.
Rowling ended her tribute with a straightforward farewell: “RIP Dolly. You were a complete, irreplaceable one-off.”
The message did not remain simply a remembrance of Parton for long.
Some of Rowling’s critics responded by invoking the author’s controversial views on transgender issues. One message went considerably further, telling Rowling, “It should have been you.”
That caught Rowling’s attention.
Top tips for wishing death on people in public, @b4byfirefly. Blocking the target is useless if you’ve signposted your real name and university in your bio😘 pic.twitter.com/fHVSTiRLJ0
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) August 25, 2026
She shared a screenshot of the message with her followers and responded with a pointed warning about publicly wishing death on someone while simultaneously posting identifying information online.
“Top tips for wishing death on people in public,” Rowling wrote. “Blocking the target is useless if you’ve signposted your real name and university in your bio.”
Another user attacked Rowling for paying tribute to Parton, writing, “You know you and Dolly have nothing to agree upon, you f–king monster.”
This time, Rowling answered with a joke.
“Well, joke’s on you, because neither of us want Jolene to take our man,” she replied.
The line was an obvious reference to “Jolene,” Parton’s famous 1973 song in which the narrator pleads with another woman not to take her partner.
Bluesky weighs in on Dolly Parton’s death, taking the opportunity to attack JK Rowling. pic.twitter.com/XE6qLtXLwr
— Benjamin Ryan (@benryanwriter) August 25, 2026
Other critics similarly objected to Rowling publicly mourning Parton, turning what began as a tribute to the singer into another round of the social-media battles that have followed Rowling over her statements about transgender issues.
Parton died at age 80 after recently disclosing that she was dealing with health problems. Shortly before her death, she had said there were still many things she wanted to accomplish.
Tributes quickly arrived from across entertainment, music and politics.
President Donald Trump also announced that the American flag would be lowered for one week in Parton’s honor.
