Like other news networks, CNN recently aired photos of the iconic singer, actress, and all-around star Dolly Parton following her death on August 25. But unlike other media outlets, CNN got it wrong.
The real Dolly. Dolly Parton performs on The Pyramid Stage on Day 3 of the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm on June 29, 2014 in Glastonbury, England. (Photo by Shirlaine Forrest/WireImage) Getty ImagesThe image that looked like Parton was actually of a tribute artist named Kelly Vohnn. Yes, that’s right. During a broadcast of ‘Laura Coates Live,’ the network displayed a photo of a Dolly Parton impersonator.
Of course, like any of us would be, CNN is probably more than just a bit embarrassed by the on-air blunder. The network recently acknowledged the misstep publicly, telling The New York Post, “We regret the error and apologize to the Parton family.”
The photo of Vohnn was taken in December during a screening for the film Song Sung Blue in Las Vegas. While Vohnn didn’t see the initial broadcast, she later told The New York Post, “I started getting all these texts from friends saying that I was on CNN, and I couldn’t believe it.”
Vohnn also shared, “I was already heartbroken at losing Dolly because of how much she has given to me as a woman and an artist…But then to see these images of me on screen was just weird.”
Not the real Dolly. Dolly Parton tribute artist Kelly Vohnn attends a special screening of “Song Sung Blue” movie at Brenden Theatres inside Palms Casino Resort on December 16, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Bryan Steffy/Getty Images for Focus Features)She continued, slamming CNN’s error, “Somebody at CNN messed up and didn’t do their research. 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 added, “It was quite embarrassing, to be honest.”
The tribute artist explained that she’s upfront about being an impersonator, saying, “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.”
What did Dolly Parton’s fans think about CNN’s photo fail?
When The New York Post shared the story on social media, critics immediately jumped on the flub, writing on X, bashing the network’s mistake: “CNN can’t even get the easy stuff right. There’s a plague of incompetence at CNN,” and “Classic CNN. I’m shocked they apologized.”
But it wasn’t all clap-backs and savage swipes. Some Parton fans thought the golden-hearted queen of country would have gotten a kick out of the mistake, commenting on Instagram, “Dolly would have appreciated that flub!” and, “Dolly would have loved this.”
What did Parton think about tribute acts? In a 2022 interview with Graham Norton, Parton spoke lovingly about her impersonators, saying, “I like that. I think it’s fun. I think it’s a great compliment!”
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