CNN Issues Apology for Using Dolly Parton Impersonator’s Photo During Coverage of Icon’s Death

CNN has issued an apology after accidentally using a photo of a Dolly Parton impersonator during its on-air coverage of the country music icon’s untimely death.

The “9 to 5” singer died on Tuesday, August 25, at the age of 80, her family confirmed.

According to The New York Post, during CNN’s coverage of Parton’s death, a Las Vegas-based Dolly Parton impersonator appeared on screen while the network discussed Parton’s death.

The mix-up occurred during Laura Coates Live. The impersonator was identified by The Post as Kelly Vohnn.

“We regret the error and apologize to the Parton family,” CNN told The New York Post in a statement on Thursday, August 27.

Vohnn, 58, said she first learned of the mistake from friends after the image appeared on CNN. The photo was taken in December, when Vohnn attended the red carpet for a Las Vegas screening of the movie Song Sung Blue, the film starring Kate Hudson and Hugh Jackman.

“I started getting all these texts in from friends saying that I was on CNN, and I couldn’t believe it,” Vohnn told The Post.

“I was already heartbroken at losing Dolly because of how much she has given to me as a woman and an artist,” Vohnn continued. “But then to see these images of me on screen was just weird.”

Vohnn has reportedly worked as a singer and tribute performer for years, and the December event wasn’t the first time she had portrayed Parton, according to The New York Post.

“Somebody at CNN really messed up and didn’t do their research,” she added. “I felt so sorry and apologetic for Dolly, because over her career there are so many wonderful images and moments that they could have chosen from — and CNN just picked something not appropriate.”

Vohnn also emphasized that she has “never represented” herself as the real Parton. She said she even considered calling CNN herself to communicate the blunder, but was too “consumed by the grief of losing Dolly.”