CNN apologizes for impersonator in Dolly Parton tribute
When an icon passes, the world turns to honor their legacy, filling the air with tributes, memories, and heartfelt celebrations. But sometimes, even in moments of profound grief, an unexpected misstep can occur. This is the story of a tribute montage, a celebrity passing, and the unexpected blunder that followed.
Following the passing of the beloved American star, Dolly Parton, who died on August 25, 2026, a wave of tributes flooded the media. As the world sought ways to honor her incredible impact, the coverage of her passing became a focal point for admiration and reflection.
However, amidst the outpouring of respect, an error surfaced during the coverage. During a live broadcast on CNN, an image of Kelly Vohnn, a longtime singer and tribute performer known for portraying Parton throughout her career, was accidentally included in a montage celebrating the American star’s legacy.
The inclusion of the photo caused an immediate stir. Vohnn, who had been waiting for news about the passing, learned of the error later, calling the inclusion quite embarrassing. The photograph itself had been taken during a separate event, a Las Vegas red carpet screening.
Vohnn reflected on the situation, noting that while she had always performed as a tribute artist for Parton and other stars, she had never presented herself as Dolly. This realization added a layer of unexpected awkwardness to the moment.
She expressed sympathy for Parton, pointing out that the error felt particularly unfortunate given the abundance of wonderful images and moments from Parton’s career that the reporting channel could have utilized. Vohnn acknowledged that someone at CNN had clearly missed the mark in their research.
Despite the initial embarrassment, Vohnn was ultimately consumed by grief for her idol. In her closing thoughts, she stated that while she intended to contact the broadcasting channel, the overwhelming emotion of loss took precedence, prompting her to simply raise a glass to the brilliant woman she admired.
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