Rory Feek writes that he and his daughters are at an ‘impasse’ after abuse allegations
Rory Feek is reacting to recent headlines surrounding him and his daughters following claims of abuse.
The country singer and his two adult daughters, Heidi and Hopie Feek, are involved in a public dispute regarding his 10-year-old daughter who has Down syndrome.
On August 31, Heidi and Hopie Feek posted a joint statement on Instagram that alleged their father abused them when they were children. Heidi Feek also penned an additional post for stepmother Rebecca Feek, who married Rory Feek in July.
“I was worried you would try to erase Joey from the story like you erased our mom,” Heidi Feek wrote, referring to Indiana’s mom and Rory Feek’s second wife, Joey Feek. The singer, who was one-half of the duo Joey + Rory, died from cervical cancer in 2016. (Hopie and Heidi Feek are the daughters of Rory Feek’s first wife, Tamara Gilmer.)
Heidi Feek continued, “You say, Indy has a new ‘mama,’ but several people close to you have reached out to me concerned about the way she treats Indiana. Hopie and I aren’t the only people speaking up.”
Rory Feek responded to public concerns about Indiana’s safety prior to his oldest daughters’ Instagram posts. On his blog Aug. 31, he wrote, in part, “Indiana has never been more loved or better cared for than she is right now.”
TODAY.com reached out to Rory and Rebecca Feek, as well as Hopie and Heidi Feek, for a comment at the time.
After seeing multiple outlets cover Heidi and Hopie’s accusations, Rory Feek returned to his blog on Sept. 17 with a new post in which he said his youngest daughter Indiana “is doing super well.” He also explained why he is at an “impasse” with his older daughters.
He began his post, titled “canceled,” by referencing an essay he wrote for Plain Values magazine in May 2023 about cancel culture.
“In the last few weeks, online I have been accused, tried and found guilty by a jury of public opinion ... and canceled,” he said.
He said that following the reports involving his family, his previously scheduled events and writing jobs have been canceled.
However, he wrote he doesn’t “feel canceled” and went on to describe the family’s day-to-day life at the farm.
“Indy’s been having lots of fun doing 5th grade homeschooling with Rebecca, who she has been calling Mama now for about 6 weeks,” he wrote.
He later added that “the only thing I’m guilty of is being part of a family that isn’t perfect — much like yours I would imagine. And our family struggles aren’t something that just happened this summer. We’ve always been a work-in-progress, and I feel fairly certain we always will be.”
Rory Feek explained that he recently drove to Florence, Alabama, where his oldest daughters reside, and knocked on Heidi Feek’s door. He claimed that no one answered and he drove home.
According to him, Heidi Feek sent a text that said, ‘“We are only willing to talk with you with a licensed therapist or attorney or both.”
He continued, “And that is where the impasse comes in. They believe that it’s the job of a someone with a doctorate, law, or masters degree to repair what is broken in our family. And I believe that it’s our job. Our responsibility to put our differences aside, sit down together as adults and do everything in our power to fix what is broken and mend what needs repaired.”
He maintained that his youngest daughter is fine.
“In the meantime, just know that Indiana is doing super well. She’s everything but, neglected. I have never, nor will I ever, allow her to be in an unsafe situation. Indy’s surrounded by love and people who love her,” he said.
Although Heidi and Hopie didn’t directly address their father’s latest post, they did share a joint statement on Heidi’s Feeks Instagram story Sept. 18.
The message — which was also signed by Heidi Feek’s husband Dillon — said, “Whether it’s unexpected visitors coming on our property, members of your ‘organization’ threatening us, or online harassment from your followers — know this: We will not be intimidated.”
They concluded, “We will continue to fight for Indiana and her safety.”
Following their statement and Rory Feek’s latest post, TODAY.com reached out to the singer, as well as Hopie Feek and Heidi Feek for comment.
This article was originally published on TODAY.com