Dolly Parton defends protesters: "Of course Black lives matter."

Dolly Parton has historically sidestepped hot-topic issues over the decades, asserting that she’s an entertainer, not a politician.

But in a new interview with Billboard, the East Tennessee native doesn’t mince words when talking about Black Lives Matter or renaming her Dixie Stampede attraction in Sevier County as “Dolly Parton’s Stampede.”

“There’s such a thing as innocent ignorance, and so many of us are guilty of that,” she tells Billboard. “When they said ‘Dixie’ was an offensive word, I thought, ‘Well, I don’t want to offend anybody. This is a business … As soon as you realize that is a problem you should fix it. Don’t be a dumbass. … I would never dream of hurting anybody on purpose.”

The Billboard feature recounts Parton’s hits as a singer and her other triumphs, from her attractions in Sevier County to her film work, and credits her success to more than mere talent, noting her combination of her endearing personality and her business savvy.

Parton’s broad fan base spans from the most conservative to the most liberal demographics, crossing most cultural, age and socioeconomic groups. Her humble refusal to comment on controversial issues helps her avoid blowback from fans.

Still, she didn’t hold back on expressing her support for protesters and Black Lives Matter when talking to Billboard.

“I understand people having to make themselves known and felt and seen,” she said. “And of course Black lives matter. Do we think our little white asses are the only ones that matter? No!”