CNN admits mistake after Dolly Parton tribute goes wrong

CNN has apologised after making a very awkward mistake while remembering Dolly Parton on the night of her death.

During its coverage on August 25, the network showed a picture that viewers thought was Dolly.

But it was actually Kelly Vohnn, a woman who works as a Dolly Parton impersonator in Las Vegas.

The picture appeared while CNN was talking about Parton’s death. Vohnn was shocked when her friends started messaging her because they had seen her face on television.

For Vohnn, the moment was especially strange because she has spent years celebrating Dolly’s music and look as a tribute performer.

She has never said that she was the real singer.

The picture was taken in December 2025 at an event in Las Vegas. Somehow, it ended up being shown during CNN’s tribute to the real Dolly.

CNN later admitted the mistake and apologised to Dolly’s family.

“We regret the error and apologize to the Parton family,” the network said.

The mix up happened on the same night that Dolly’s death was announced.

The country music star died at the age of 80, leaving fans and fellow stars around the world heartbroken.

Dolly was one of the biggest names in country music and was loved for songs such as “Jolene” and “9 to 5.”

For Vohnn, the mistake brought a very unexpected kind of attention during a sad moment for Dolly’s fans.