CNN apologise over Dolly Parton blunder

CNN have apologised to Dolly Parton's family after mistakenly using a photo of an impersonator during a news report.

The Jolene singer passed away on Tuesday (25.08.26) at the age of 80 and during Laura Coates Live that evening, an image was shown of Las Vegas performer Kelly Vohnn, with the network appearing to think they were displaying a picture of Dolly herself.

A spokesperson for CNN said in a statement: “We regret the error and apologise to the Parton family."

She told Entertainment Weekly: “I’m relieved that CNN has reached out to Dolly’s family and apologized for their mishap. We all loved Dolly dearly and wouldn’t want these mistakes to continue moving forward.”

Kelly insisted she would never want to "fool" anyone in thinking she was the real Dolly and had always made it clear she is an impersonator.

She said in a video shared to Instagram: “I am a Dolly Parton impersonator. The last few days have been devastating to myself and to millions of people around the world.

“It has been brought to my attention that news outlets are using my likeness once again and saying that I am Dolly Parton. I want to say in no way, shape, or form, have I ever given permission to anyone to allow them to use my image and say that I am Dolly Parton.

“I would never fool people that way. I am an impersonator. People know that they’re buying tickets to an impersonator. And I would never say that I’m Dolly Parton.”

Kelly admitted the death report wasn't the first time her photo had been used in reporting about the real Dolly, as the same image was previously used in a story covering “Dolly announced cancelling her second set of residencies here in Las Vegas” in May.

She added: “I don’t own these images. They are of me, but I never gave anyone permission to use them. I would never disrespect Dolly, her family, or her loved ones this way. So please know that I am in no way a part of this.”

The singer vowed to “be an ambassador for Dolly Parton moving forward in carrying on her legacy, her kindness, her giving, her charitable heart.”

Dolly's death was announced in a video message from her nephew, Bryan Seaver, and her representatives later confirmed she had been battling cancer.

Her representatives said in a statement: “Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched. Her unmatched generosity reached the lives of countless people whom she would never meet, yet she was always there to offer a helping hand.

“Whether it be the hundreds of millions of books donated through her invaluable Imagination Library or funding research that helped create a lifesaving vaccine used around the world, Dolly’s unconditional love for all people was the guiding force for her lasting impact.