CNN airs photo of Dolly Parton impersonator in tribute
CNN airs photo of Dolly Parton impersonator in tribute
Harriet BarberFri, August 28, 2026 at 2:31 PM UTC
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Kelly Vohnn, a Dolly Parton impersonator, has said she did not want her likeness to be used ‘to fool people into thinking I am the real Dolly Parton’
CNN has apologised after mistakenly airing a photograph of a Dolly Parton impersonator in a broadcast about the country music star’s death.
Parton, one of the most celebrated singer-songwriters in country music, died on Tuesday at the age of 80.
During an episode of Laura Coates Live on the evening of her death, CNN showed a photograph of Kelly Vohnn, a Las Vegas-based celebrity impersonator, apparently believing it depicted Parton.
CNN has since apologised, telling news outlet Deadline: “We regret the error and apologise to the Parton family.”
CNN has apologised to Dolly Parton’s family for mistakenly airing a photograph of Kelly Vohnn dressed as the country singer - CNN
Ms Vohnn criticised the mistake, saying: “We need reporters to do better due diligence when broadcasting to prevent #fakenews.”
In a statement on Instagram, she wrote: “I did not give anyone my likeness to be used in any way to fool people into thinking I am the real Dolly Parton.
“This has happened a couple of times now and it’s not OK.”
She added that she did not own the photographs, which were taken at a red carpet event in Las Vegas for the opening of the film Song Sung Blue, where several impersonators were in attendance.
Parton’s death was announced by Brian Seaver, her nephew, on Instagram.
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He said: “I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven’t truly felt it until now. It is an honour, an honour that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness.”
Parton’s team later confirmed that the singer had died on Tuesday “after bravely facing a brief battle with cancer”.
In a seven-decade career, the country star won 10 Grammy awards, sold more than 100 million records worldwide and wrote more than 3,000 songs. She wrote two of the 20th century’s most enduring songs, Jolene and I Will Always Love You, on the same day.
Parton was also known for her extensive philanthropy, particularly through her Dollywood Foundation and Imagination Library, which has distributed hundreds of millions of free books to children.
Parton also gave substantial sums to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, where her niece had previously received treatment for leukaemia. In 2020, she donated $1m (£737,000) to support Covid-19 research at the institution, helping fund work that contributed to the development of the Moderna vaccine.
In May 2026, she cancelled her Las Vegas residency over health issues.
“I can’t be dizzy carrying around banjos, guitars and such on five-inch heels – and you know that I’m going to be wearing them,” she said in a video message.
“Not to mention all those heavy rhinestone outfits, the big hair, my big ... uh, personality,” she joked.
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Source: “AOL Entertainment”
