CNN has been forced to apologise to Dolly Parton’s family after accidentally using a photograph of a Las Vegas impersonator while reporting on the country music legend’s death.
Parton died on Tuesday aged 80 following what her representatives described as a ‘brief battle with cancer,’ prompting an enormous outpouring of tributes from around the world.
However, during Tuesday evening’s edition of Laura Coates Live, CNN made a rather awkward blunder while covering the breaking news. Instead of showing the Jolene singer, the network displayed a photograph of professional Dolly impersonator Kelly Vohnn, seemingly believing the image was actually Parton.
Considering Dolly was one of the most instantly recognisable women on the planet, it was quite the mix-up.
CNN has since acknowledged the error and issued an apology to the late musician’s loved ones. ‘We regret the error and apologize to the Parton family,’ a spokesperson told Entertainment Weekly.
Vohnn has now spoken out herself, stressing that she had absolutely nothing to do with the mistake and has never attempted to convince people she is the real Parton.
‘I’m relieved that CNN has reached out to Dolly’s family and apologized for their mishap,’ she told the publication. ‘We all loved Dolly dearly and wouldn’t want these mistakes to continue moving forward.’
The Las Vegas performer also posted a video to Instagram after discovering her photograph was being circulated in coverage of Parton’s death.
Dolly Parton, an icon of music, film, philanthropy, wisecracks and rhinestones, has died at the age of 80.
The Queen of Country Music's death was announced on Tuesday August 25, prompting an outpouring of grief across the world.
Follow Metro's coverage of the death of Dolly Parton:
‘I am a Dolly Parton impersonator. The last few days have been devastating to myself and to millions of people around the world,’ she began.
Vohnn said it had been brought to her attention that news outlets were once again using her likeness while identifying her as Parton, insisting she had never given anyone permission to do so.
‘I would never fool people that way. I am an impersonator. People know that they’re buying tickets to an impersonator. And I would never say that I’m Dolly Parton,’ she explained.
Rather remarkably, this isn’t even the first time Vohnn has found herself mistaken for the woman she impersonates professionally.
