Days after disclosing that country singer Rory Feek is not her real father, Hopie Feek, who was raised by the celebrity, is commenting on his public response.
Hopie, 36, posted on Instagram on Tuesday, Feb. 11, that she was “extremely disappoint[ed]” by Rory’s blog post earlier that day, in which he divulged intimate information about the family’s past, including those of her mother, who was previously married to the celebrity.
Hopie grew up with her 38-year-old sister Heidi, assuming Rory, who raised the sisters after their mother divorced, was her father. However, in an Instagram video posted on February 8, she said that a recent 23andMe test indicated her biological father was a man called B.C., with whom she had “gotten really close” over the previous six months.
“I’ve never experienced unconditional love like that before,” she stated in her video of meeting B.C.
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Three days after Hopie officially announced the discovery, Rory, 59, described it in a blog post titled “A Different Dad.” The musician said he was getting ready for the day on February 6 when Hopie contacted him unexpectedly and asked to chat in person. They hadn’t seen each other in a year, and Rory described her call as a “miracle.”
“I had no notion what she wanted to talk to me about. And it didn’t matter to me. He wrote, “I just wanted to see her.” The chance to look into her eyes and have her look into mine to show her we are not enemies. I am deeply in love with her. And looking back, I can’t help but believe my desire came true. Although not in the way I imagined.”
In a talk in the cemetery where Rory’s late wife Joey is buried, Hopie told him about the findings of her 23andMe test, which she had performed after her mother stated there was a strong chance Rory was not her real father.
In response, Rory stated that, while he was unaware, he was not completely stunned by the revelation. He went on to describe why he’d always suspected Hopie wasn’t his, noting how she came several weeks after her due date, which did not coincide with his return from a six-month tour with the Marines. After he and his ex-wife separated, he directly asked if Hopie was his child and received confirmation that she was.
“I told Hopie that I think a part of me knew. But it’s more than that. I told her I did not care. This news and this blood test hold no significance for me. “I love you as my daughter and always will,” he wrote.
Rory then went on to describe Heidi and Hopie’s life, including the few occasions they saw their mother while under Rory’s care. He went on to state that he was “thankful” for the opportunity to tell Hopie how much he loved her.
“I am disappointed and saddened that it took three decades to learn this. But the fact is… He wrote, “I mostly hurt for Hopie.” “Hopie has a compassionate heart, full of childlike wonder and light, even on the worst of days. It’s tragic that she has had to deal with so much suffering and loss in her short life.”
That same day, Hopie turned to Instagram to voice her dissatisfaction with Rory’s blog article, noting in a statement that when they met in person, her only request was that he “be kind and not shame my mom,” with whom she had only recently reconciled.
“Today, he shared her private history in his blog, which is extremely disappointing,” she said. “I shared my tale because I couldn’t keep the secret to myself any longer. I’m not a public figure, but because Rory is, my private life becomes material for his admirers (who are frequently cruel online).”
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She went on to add that she regrets telling Rory she is bisexual because she believes he used the knowledge to sell books, and she uploaded a video of him reading a chapter from his 2018 memoir Once Upon a Farm in which he mentions her sexuality.
“From now on, I just wish my stories could be my own to tell and share,” she said. “I want to move forward and find happiness with the people who love me, far away from this online hate.”
The tweets came months after Heidi, Hopie, and Rory openly disagreed over the care of Rory’s 10-year-old daughter, Indiana, whom he shares with Joey. The star’s elder daughters have attempted to resume connection with the youngster, and Rory has stated that he stopped allowing Indiana to see Heidi and Hopie because they “refused to respect my wishes” when she was in their care.
Heidi earlier alleged that Indiana was unsafe since Rory and his new wife Rebecca are raising her in Homestead Heritage, a faith-based community that Heidi said in an Instagram post had a “troubling history” with child safety—an allegation the group strongly disputes.
Heidi was sued by Homestead Heritage for slander in September, but she has stated that she would continue to speak out on behalf of her sister.
“All I want is to be present in my little sister’s life, but I can’t. “I am trying to do the right thing,” she previously told PEOPLE.