Dolly Parton ‘Checking in’ With Kelly Clarkson and ‘Offering Her Support’ Amid Personal Struggles

Kindhearted country legend Dolly Parton has always had a soft spot for Kelly Clarkson, so she’s reaching out to help her pal as the singer continues to struggle with the pressures of fame, sources say.

“Kelly’s in a bad place right now. Everyone can see that, and Dolly is very worried for her and trying to get to the bottom of what’s wrong,” an insider shares.

“She’s heard enough from mutual friends about how Kelly’s acting erratic and weepy, and it’s upsetting her. Dolly’s always known Kelly to be steady as she goes.”

Sources say that Clarkson is catching criticism after being forced to cancel the first two shows of her Las Vegas residency because of vocal concerns.

Meanwhile, insiders say that staffers on Kelly’s self-named talk show are also unhappy with the host’s behavior after she took nearly two weeks off earlier this year, reportedly to deal with a mysterious “private matter,” says Page Six.

In May, Kelly also griped during a concert in New Jersey that her talk show was “like a whole other job” that got in the way of touring, Page Six reported.

Now, the source says the “Jolene” songbird, 79, wants to have a private in-person conversation with the original American Idol champ, and even invited Kelly, 43, to her farm in Tennessee and her theme park Dollywood.

“Dolly’s calling and checking in with Kelly and offering support. She wants to get together and have a talk, just the two of them, without any interruptions,” the insider says. “Dolly’s asking Kelly to come over whenever she’s got the time, and Dolly hopes it’s soon because this can’t go on.”

According to the source, friends fear that the busy single mom of River Rose, 11, and Remington, 9, is stretching herself too thin and still reeling from her divorce from baby daddy ex Brandon Blackstock.

The insider explains, “Dolly wants to give Kelly some country comforting and some of her homemade apple pie, and also just give her some serious pep talks on how to handle the pressure cooker of fame and learn to delegate more. Dolly wants to be there for her.”