CNN Apologises To Dolly Parton’s Family After Using Impersonator’s Photo In Death Coverage

CNN has apologised to Dolly Parton’s family after accidentally using an image of Dolly Parton impersonator Kelly Vohnn while reporting on the music legend’s death during the Aug. 25 edition of Laura Coates Live.

Parton died aged 80 on Aug. 25 after a battle with cancer, according to the supplied material. During CNN’s coverage, a photograph of Vohnn from a 2025 red-carpet appearance for the film Song Sung Blue was shown instead of an image of Parton.

The network acknowledged the mistake in a statement provided to The New York Post on Aug. 27.

“We regret the error and apologize to the Parton family.”

Parton’s family has not publicly responded to the on-air error, according to the supplied material.

Kelly Vohnn Says The Mistake Was “Weird”

Vohnn, a 58-year-old performer known for her tribute act, subsequently spoke about the incident and described it as an embarrassing experience.

“I was already heartbroken at losing Dolly because of how much she has given to me as a woman and an artist,” Vohnn told The New York Post. “But then to see these images of me on screen was just weird.”

She said friends and other people close to her began contacting her after seeing the photograph on CNN.

“I started getting all these texts in from friends saying that I was on CNN,” she said. “I couldn’t believe it.”

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Vohnn also stressed that she has never claimed to be Parton herself and said she has consistently presented her work 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,” Vohnn said.

She added that she felt sympathy for Parton and her family because the singer’s career provided CNN with numerous authentic photographs and memorable moments that could have been used in the coverage.

“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,” Vohnn said.

Miley Cyrus Pays Tribute To Her Late Godmother

The CNN error comes as tributes continue to emerge following Parton’s death.

Miley Cyrus, Parton’s goddaughter, reflected on her loss in an Instagram tribute published Aug. 26. Cyrus said her late godmother would have encouraged her to process grief through music before continuing forward.

“I have an angel by my side. I always have. One of our last conversations was about music and metamorphosis,” Cyrus wrote.

“My heart breaks for the world, her family and friends who will miss her deeply. We’re in this loss together and we will see her in all of the most beautiful things.”

The supplied material also quotes Cyrus as saying that Parton would “want me to feel it, write a song about it, and then continue on and be strong.”

The comments are part of the public response to Parton’s death and do not alter the fact that CNN has acknowledged and apologised for its separate photo error.