CNN Makes Stunning Dolly Parton Mistake

A Dolly Parton impersonator is speaking out after CNN made an embarrassing on-air mistake while covering the country music legend’s death — and accidentally showed a photo of her instead.

Las Vegas tribute performer Kelly Vohnn said she was stunned to learn that her image had been broadcast during CNN’s coverage of Parton’s death at age 80.

Vohnn quickly made it clear that she had absolutely nothing to do with the mix-up.

“I want to say that in no way shape or form have I given permission to anyone to allow them to use my image and say that I am Dolly Parton,” Vohnn said in an Instagram video Thursday.

“I would never fool people that way,” she continued. “I am an impersonator. People know that they’re buying tickets to see an impersonator.”

The mistake reportedly happened Tuesday during “Laura Coates Live,” when CNN aired a photograph of Vohnn while reporting on Parton’s death.

The image showed Vohnn dressed as the beloved country superstar while attending a Las Vegas red carpet event for the movie “Song Sung Blue.”

Vohnn said this apparently wasn’t the first time one of her photographs had been mistaken for the real Dolly Parton, and she urged news outlets to take a closer look before putting images on the air.

“I would never disrespect Dolly, her family or her loved ones this way,” she said. “So please know that I am in no way a part of this.”

Despite the bizarre mistake, Vohnn managed to find some humor in the situation.

She told Newsweek she was “very flattered that CNN thought I looked like Dolly,” adding that she believed Parton herself “would have giggled over it.”

CNN has since apologized.

“We regret the error and apologize to the Parton family,” the network told the New York Post.

Vohnn said she was pleased CNN publicly acknowledged what happened.

“I’m glad they acknowledged the error and apologized to Dolly’s family,” she said. “Now we can all continue to honor her extraordinary life.”

Parton died peacefully in Nashville, Tennessee, on Aug. 25 at the age of 80, according to an announcement on her official website.

Her representatives said the music icon died following a brief battle with cancer, although the specific type of cancer was not disclosed.

Her family said a small private service would be held for immediate relatives and asked fans who wished to honor Parton to donate to her beloved Imagination Library rather than send flowers.

Parton was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Carl Dean, who died in 2025.

Born into poverty in rural Sevier County, Tennessee, Parton went on to become one of the biggest and most recognizable stars in American music.

Her extraordinary seven-decade career produced classics including “Jolene,” “9 to 5,” “Coat of Many Colors” and “I Will Always Love You.”

She also became a major force in Hollywood, business and philanthropy, turning herself into a cultural icon whose popularity stretched far beyond country music.

Parton sold more than 100 million records worldwide, won 11 Grammy Awards and earned induction into both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Her Imagination Library, launched in 1995 to encourage childhood literacy, has distributed more than 300 million books around the world.

Now, as millions mourn the country legend, CNN’s mistaken photo has created an unexpected sideshow — one that Vohnn says should serve as a reminder for news organizations to double-check exactly who they are putting on screen.