Dolly Parton should ‘speak out’ about #MeToo movement in music industry, says sister

‘I’m ashamed of my sister for keeping her mouth shut,’ says Stella Parton

Stella Parton has publicly criticised her sister Dolly Parton, saying that she believes the "Jolene" singer should "speak out more" about the #MeToo movement within the music industry.​

Stella, who grew up as one of 12 siblings with Dolly in Sevier County, Tennessee, recently appeared on podcast Our Stories.

During her appearance on the show, the 69-year-old singer admitted that she's "ashamed" her older sibling hasn't done more to raise awareness of the abuse that's rife within the world of country music.

When asked why the #MeToo movement hasn't gained as much traction in country music than it has in other industries, Stella stated that she finds this fact "disheartening".

"And I think my sister should speak out more," she added. "I honestly call her out. She should speak out more."

Stella, who released her debut solo album I Want to Hold You in My Dreams Tonight in 1975, explained that in her opinion, there are many female country singers who've "all gone through all kinds of abuse in this industry" but refuse to speak openly about it.

"I'm ashamed of them for not speaking out, and I'm ashamed of my sister for keeping her mouth shut," Stella said.

"She can run it all day long when it's about something else. Well speak up against injustice."

Stella and Dolly Parton perform at Stella Parton's Red Tent Women's Conference 2014 in Nashville, Tennessee (Getty Images)

In February, Dolly revealed that she doesn't describe herself as a "feminist", telling Sky News that she doesn't "know what that means" when people ask if she identifies with feminism.

“I’m proud to be a woman, proud to be a woman in business, proud enough to do what I do," the 73-year-old added.

In a recent interview with The Guardian, Dolly dismissed Jane Fonda's previous statement that workplace harassment is worse today than it was four decades ago.

“I’m pretty sure it’s always been bad. It’s just that with the #MeToo movement women are bolder to speak out against it," she said.

Following on from her interview with the Our Stories podcast, Stella tweeted that choosing to speak out against her sister had not been an "easy decision".

"I kept quiet for a very long time. Partially because of my sister, I did not speak up, so I would not be a distraction to her career," the singer wrote.

"I have decided not to be quiet any longer!"