Why Dolly Parton’s death can feel like losing someone you knew personally

The death of Dolly Parton has prompted an outpouring of grief from fans around the world, many of whom have shared that they feel like they’ve lost someone they knew personally.

Grief experts say it’s possible to experience genuine feelings of loss even if there wasn’t a personal relationship — particularly when the public figure has become woven into people’s memories and routines over a long period of time.

Psychologists refer to this type of loss as parasocial grief, according to licensed clinical psychologist Dr.