Dolly Parton Impersonator Calls CNN Mistake 'Quite Embarrassing' Following Music Legend’s Death

CNN issued a formal apology to the family of country music legend Dolly Parton after mistakenly broadcasting a photo of an impersonator during a tribute following her death at age 80 on Tuesday, August 25.

The mix-up occurred during the network's program Laura Coates Live while it was displaying a photo montage of the iconic singer. Instead of the real Parton, producers included a picture of Las Vegas tribute artist Kelly Vohnn taken at a recent movie screening. A network spokesperson told outlets like Variety, "We regret the error and apologize to the Parton family.”

The mistake aired during the 11 p.m. ET hour, roughly 12 hours after the singer's family announced her passing.

The displayed photograph featured Vohnn, a 58-year-old performer who has portrayed Parton for years. The photo showed her in a rhinestone minidress at a screening of the movie Song Sung Blue.

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

Vohnn spoke out to clarify that she had no role in the mistake, calling the situation "weird" and "quite embarrassing," but expressed relief that CNN reached out to Parton's loved ones.

"I was already heartbroken at losing Dolly because of how much she has given to me as a woman and an artist," she said, "but then to see these images of me on screen was just weird."

Parton, known globally for decades of hits like "Jolene" and "9 to 5," passed away peacefully following a brief battle with cancer.

In addition to inspiring female impersonators, she has long been one of the most celebrated and beloved icons in drag culture. Her ultra-feminine aesthetic, larger-than-life personality, and message of unconditional love made her a natural muse for drag queens worldwide.

The "Coat of Many Colors" legend frequently joked about her own appearance, famously saying, "It takes a lot of money to look this cheap."

This self-aware, comedic approach deeply resonates with drag performers.

Parton deeply appreciated her drag impersonators and frequently championed them. She famously entered a lookalike contest a Halloween drag bar in Los Angeles — and lost to a drag queen because she "walked too straight" and wasn't glamorous enough.

The icon often stated that she took the impersonations as the ultimate compliment to her artistry.

Throughout her career, Parton was a fierce ally to the LGBTQ+ community, promoting radical self-acceptance and inclusivity through her music and philanthropy.