CNN Apologizes for Mistakenly Airing Photo of Dolly Parton Impersonator in Report on Late Singer - Variety

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CNN has apologized to the family of Dolly Parton after the news network incorrectly showed a photo on the air of a Dolly Parton tribute artist instead of the famed country singer herself.

On Tuesday evening’s broadcast of CNN’s "Laura Coates Live” in the 11 p.m. ET hour, in a report about the death of Parton, the network displayed a photo that was actually of Kelly Vohnn, a Las Vegas performer who has portrayed Dolly Parton over the course of her career.

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In a statement to Variety, CNN said, “We regret the error and apologize to the Parton family."

The Getty Images photo of Vohnn used by CNN ( above right ) was taken Dec. 16, 2025, in Las Vegas, where Vohnn was attending a screening of the movie “Song Sung Blue” at Brenden Theatres inside the Palms Casino Resort, according to the photo agency.

In an interview with the New York Post, which first reported on CNN’s apology over the mix-up, Vohnn said, "I started getting all these texts in from friends saying that I was on CNN, and I couldn't believe it." She continued, "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."

The photo of Vohnn appeared in a montage of images on “Laura Coates Live,” which featured five photos of the actual Dolly Parton, as CNN correspondent Shimon Prokupecz was reporting live from Nashville. Here's how it appeared in the broadcast:

Parton died Tuesday, Aug. 25, at the age of 80. She died after a “brief battle with cancer,” according to her reps.

Parton wrote and performed hundreds of songs over a career spanning seven decades. Her best-known song is "I Will Always Love You," alongside other hits like “9 to 5,” “Jolene,” “Coat of Many Colors” and “Here You Come Again.” She also recorded a secret song, currently buried in a time capsule at her Dollywood resort in Tennessee, that is set to be opened in 2045 (in time for Parton's 100th birthday).

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