Dolly Parton emphasises her support for Black Lives Matter: ‘We’re all God’s children’

Country music star has previously spoken up in support of the anti-racism movement

Dolly Parton has reiterated her support for Black Lives Matter.

The 74-year-old Country music singer-songwriter had previously voiced her advocacy for the movement – which protests against police brutality and all racially motivated violence – in a past interview with Billboard.

“I understand people having to make themselves known and felt and seen,” Parton told the publication in August earlier this year. “Of course, black lives matter. Do we think our little white asses are the only ones that matter? No!”

In a new interview with Billboard, Parton revealed that her previous comments had come from “my heart”.

“I don’t really realise it until it’s already said. I just answer from my heart when somebody asks me a direct question,” she said.

Parton said her comments had come from ‘my heart’ (AFP via Getty Images)

The singer added: “I love everybody. And of course, black lives matter. We all matter. We’re all God’s children. I hope people learn to love one another a little more than they do, and if I can be of any help in that respect then I hope to be.”

In 2018, the artist, who is known for hits including “Jolene” and “9 to 5”, renamed her Civil War-themed dinner show attraction from “Dixie Stampede” to “Dolly Parton’s Stampede”.

Addressing the decision to change its name, Parton said: “When they said ‘Dixie’ was an offensive word, I thought, ‘Well, I don’t want to offend anybody. This is a business. We’ll just call it The Stampede.'

“As soon as you realise that [something] is a problem, you should fix it. Don’t be a dumbass. That’s where my heart is. I would never dream of hurting anybody on purpose.”

Parton, who was born in Tennessee, made headlines last month when it was revealed that the singer had donated $1 million (£756,000) to scientists who have been working on a promising Covid-19 vaccine.