<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Cable news network <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/cnn/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">CNN</a> aired a photo of a tribute artist instead of the late music star Dolly Parton during its coverage of her <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/4699862/dolly-parton-dies-at-age-80/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">death</a>, prompting an apology to her family.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The network mistakenly used an image of 58-year-old Kelly Vohnn, who impersonates Parton, instead of the actual star. Vohnn was dressed in a white dress with shoulder pads and rhinestones, resembling Parton's iconic style.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The image aired during <em>Laura Coates Live</em> while host Laura Coates and a reporter in <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/tennessee" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Nashville</a> discussed Parton’s legacy.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“We regret the error and apologize to the Parton family,” CNN stated in a response to the <em>New York Post</em>.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Parton’s nephew announced her death on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DceNXgPJyZ9/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsi=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">social media</a> on Tuesday following a “brief battle with cancer.”</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">In an <a href="https://nypost.com/2026/08/27/media/cnn-apologizes-to-dolly-partons-family-for-using-photo-of-las-vegas-impersonator-in-coverage-of-icons-death/?utm_campaign=nypost&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">interview</a> with the <em>New York Post</em>, Vohnn mentioned that friends alerted her to the broadcast.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“I was already heartbroken at losing Dolly because of how much she has given to me as a woman and an artist,” Vohnn said.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“But then to see these images of me on screen was just weird,” she added.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Vohnn’s <a href="https://kellyvohnn.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">website</a> features a section titled “DOLLY — THE LIVING LEGEND,” showcasing her performances.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“I’m so excited to present to you my new Dolly show called ‘DOLLY — The Living Legend’ honoring this Diva’s many looks and music throughout the years. It’s a high energy and fun show for the whole family,” the site states.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Vohnn described the incident as “embarrassing” for CNN.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“Somebody at CNN really messed up and didn’t do their research,” she said.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Vohnn considered reaching out to CNN but felt overwhelmed with grief over Parton's passing.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“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,” she said.</p>