Country singer Dolly Parton has come under fire after she called a number of sexual and gender identities “fashionable” in an interview with Dan Wootton on his podcast.

When asked about bisexuality, pansexuality and gender fluidity, Parton stated that she sometimes questions pop stars who identify as such:

“For me, I’m still an old timer. Sometimes I think it’s just become kind of fashionable to speak out like that.”

Dolly continued:

“I think some of them even say more than who they really are. I think they just want to be part of that whole movement to make people think that they’re so free and all that.”

The country musician then added:

“But I really don’t know how they feel inside. I know how I feel inside.”

Parton’s own goddaughter Miley Cyrus identifies as both genderfluid and pansexual. Cyrus came out to her mother when she was 14. The Wrecking Ball singer said:

“I am ready to love anyone that loves me for who I am.” Cyrus also told Time Magazine in 2015 that she identifies as genderfluid. In the interview, Miley said that she “doesn’t relate to being a boy or girl, and I don’t have to have my partner relate to boy or girl”.

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Dolly also used the podcast as a platform to dispel rumours about her own sexuality:

“People love to talk – but sometimes that’s your best publicity. I don’t care what they say as long as they don’t hurt other people I love.”

Dolly then denied any speculation that suggests she is having an affair with her best friend Judy Ogle:

“People love to gossip. They’ve said that about Oprah but it’s not true.”

Dolly continued:

“So people say that – because you can’t really have a great relationship with a woman. I’m not gay, but I have so many gay friends and I accept everyone for who they are.”