Dolly Parton's sister slams her for not speaking out on #MeToo movement

Stella Parton and Dolly Parton attend Stella Parton's Red Tent Women's Conference 2014 at the Doubletree Hotel Downtown on April 18, 2014 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo / Getty

Dolly Parton's younger sister has hit out at her famous sibling for not speaking out publicly in support of the #MeToo movement.

Stella Parton, who is also a country singer, had a go at Dolly for staying quiet on sexual harassment in the country music industry, saying she thinks the star should use her public platform to speak out on abuse.

Dolly Parton performs on the Pyramid Stage during Day 3 of the Glastonbury Festival. Photo / Getty

"I'm ashamed of my sister for keeping her mouth shut," Stella Parton told the Our Stories podcast in the US.

"She can run it when it is about something else, but speak up about injustice, Dolly Parton. Speak up. And speak out. Defend women, and don't just do it in a little song. Speak up.

"This is the first time I've really publicly called my sister out. But it's high time that some of these older women speak up and speak out. They've all gone through all kinds of abuse in this industry so: speak up."

Dolly Parton and Stella Parton attend the premiere of Dolly Parton's Coat Of Many Colours at the Egyptian Theatre on December 2, 2015 in Hollywood. Photo / Getty

Stella didn't reserve her criticisms for just her sister, however; she also called out Hollywood legends Jane Fonda and Meryl Streep for not speaking out more on abuses in the entertainment industry.

"In the same way that Jane Fonda and people who have been in Hollywood all these years and never said a word, like Meryl Streep was all big buddies with Harvey Weinstein until he got busted," she said.

"And then she kinda came around to say, 'Well, you know, that's terrible' … Well, why didn't you speak up when it came down? You knew it? All these women just didn't speak up because they're afraid they're gonna mess with their fanbase. I think women would be more apt to respect you if you would speak up."

Stella's comments came after Dolly refused to call herself a feminist in an interview with The Guardian.

Dolly Parton arrives at the premiere of Netflix's Dumplin' at the Chinese Theater on December 6, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. Photo / Getty

"I don't think … I mean, I must be if being a feminist means I'm all for women, yes. But I don't feel I have to march, hold up a sign or label myself. I think the way I have conducted my life and my business and myself speaks for itself. I don't think of it as being feminist. It's not a label I have to put on myself. I'm just all for gals,' she told The Guardian.

The country star also disagreed with her 9 to 5 co-star Jane Fonda's assessment that harassment in the workplace is worse now than it was 40 years 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," Dolly said.