CNN Mistake: Dolly Parton Impersonator Featured in Death Coverage!

CNN has issued an apology after a significant on-air gaffe, mistakenly broadcasting a photo of a Dolly Parton impersonator during a segment reporting on the country icon's passing. The network aired an image of Kelly Vohnn, a 58-year-old Las Vegas-based tribute artist, instead of the legendary singer herself, during the “Laura Coates Live” program.

This error occurred approximately 11 hours after Parton's family announced her death at the age of 80. The gaffe quickly garnered attention, with CNN later stating to The New York Post, “We regret the error and apologize to the Parton family.” The photo in question, according to Vohnn, was taken in December on a red carpet for a Las Vegas screening of the musical 'Song Sung Blue.' Vohnn herself was taken aback by the incident, telling the publication,

I started getting all these texts in from friends saying that I was on CNN, and I couldn't believe it.

Expressing a mix of emotions, Vohnn shared her personal sorrow over Parton's death, acknowledging the profound influence the star had on her career as an artist. “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,” she commented. She also voiced her disappointment in CNN's oversight, adding, “Somebody at CNN really 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.” The incident highlights the critical need for rigorous verification in live news broadcasting, especially when covering sensitive topics like the death of a beloved public figure.

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