CNN has issued an apology to the family of the late country music legend Dolly Parton after mistakenly airing a photo of a Las Vegas tribute artist in a segment commemorating her life, the network confirmed to the New York Post on Thursday.
The image, which showed Parton impersonator Kelly Vohnn, appeared during an episode of “Laura Coates Live” shortly after Parton’s death was announced by her family. The icon passed away at the age of 80 following a brief battle with cancer, leaving a legacy that touched millions through her music and philanthropy.
“We regret the error and apologize to the Parton family,” CNN said in a statement to the Post, though the network did not offer further details about how the mix-up occurred.
Vohnn, who has worked for years as a tribute artist in Las Vegas, said she learned of the mistake soon after the photo aired, after her phone began lighting up with messages from friends who had spotted her on television.
“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.”
But the shock quickly turned to discomfort. “But then to see these images of me on screen was just weird. Somebody at CNN really messed up and didn’t do their research,” she added.
Vohnn stressed that she has never attempted to pass herself off as Parton, despite her profession as a tribute act. “To be clear, I have never represented myself as being Dolly ever in my life. I have always been known as a tribute act for her and many other stars. It was quite embarrassing, to be honest.”
The error, which aired in a segment meant to honor Parton’s storied career, struck Vohnn as particularly tone-deaf given the wealth of authentic imagery available from the singer’s decades in the spotlight.
“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,” she said.
Vohnn told the Post she had considered contacting CNN directly about the mistake, but was too consumed by grief over Parton’s death to follow through. “I thought about calling CNN, but was really consumed by the grief of losing Dolly [and] I just wanted to be at home with my thoughts, raising a glass of wine to that brilliant woman.”
The incident has sparked criticism on social media, with many viewers pointing out that a network of CNN’s stature should have taken greater care in verifying the visuals used in a tribute to a beloved cultural figure. Others expressed sympathy for Vohnn, who found herself inadvertently at the center of the controversy while mourning.
The photo in question was credited to Bryan Steffy of Getty Images for Focus Features, indicating it was a professional headshot of Vohnn in her tribute role, potentially adding to the confusion for producers unfamiliar with her work.
This is not the first time a major news outlet has been caught using an incorrect image in a breaking story, but the emotional weight of Parton’s passing has amplified scrutiny of the error. Parton, who rose from humble beginnings in Tennessee to become one of the most recognizable and beloved figures in American music, was known for hits like “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You,” as well as her extensive charitable work, including the Imagination Library program that has gifted millions of books to children.
Her death prompted an outpouring of tributes from fellow artists, politicians, and fans, underscoring her outsized cultural impact. In that context, CNN’s mistake has been widely viewed as an unfortunate blemish on an otherwise heartfelt farewell.
Vohnn, who has built a career celebrating Parton and other stars through her performances, said the episode has been surreal, but she holds no ill will toward the network—only sorrow for the loss that prompted the segment.
“It was quite embarrassing, to be honest,” she reiterated, adding that she hopes CNN’s apology will set the record straight for viewers who may have briefly mistaken her for the icon she so admired.
For now, the network has not indicated whether it will take disciplinary action against those responsible for the mistake, or if it will implement new protocols to prevent similar errors in future tributes. The Post’s report did not include a comment from Parton’s family beyond CNN’s apology.
Source: www.dailywire.com — https://www.dailywire.com/news/see-it-cnn-used-photo-of-vegas-impersonator-in-on-air-dolly-parton-tribute