CNN have issued an apology to the family of Dolly Parton after using a photo of a Dolly impersonator in their broadcast about her passing instead of a picture of her. The iconic singer and actress passed away earlier this week at the age of 80, following an undisclosed brief battle with cancer.
CNN’s Apology to Dolly’s Family
Though the Dolly impersonator, named Kelly Vohnn, looked incredible and similar to the star, CNN still sent out a statement to put things right. The statement read: “We regret the error and apologize to the Parton family.”
CNN’s Dolly Parton tribute was broadcast during “Laura Coates Lives” approximately 12 hours after Dolly’s nephew announced that she had passed away.
According to The New York Post, Kelly was subsequently bombarded with messages from her friends and family telling her that her photo had been used my mistake on TV.
Kelly said that the specific photo used by CNN was taken back in December when she was on the red carpet in Las Vegas. She was attending a film screening of “Song Sung Blue”, starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson.
Speaking about it, Kelly said: “I started getting all these texts in from friends saying that I was on CNN, and I couldn’t believe it.”
Kelly also clarified that she’s never tried to claim she was Dolly, adding: “To be clear, I have never represented myself as being Dolly ever in my life. I have always been known as a tribute act for her and many other stars.”
Dolly’s Family Share She Has Passed Away
Dolly Parton’s family posted a video message to her social media profiles today announcing that she had passed away. Bryan Seaver read out the tragic news, speaking to a camera. He shared: “Hey everyone, my name is Bryan Seaver, son of Cassie Parton, and I am representing the Parton and Owens family today announcing the passing of my aunt Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean.
“Sister, sis, aunt, granny to one generation, and Gigi to the next. This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago before I fully absorbed it as a future reality. As her head of security for more than two decades, a role my father Larry held before me, I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven’t truly felt it until now. It is an honor, an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness. But sadness lies with us, but not with Dolly.
“Dolly has lived in the light […] met by Carl, her parents, and countless others who have watched her and longed for her to meet them in the heavens. […] Dolly also opened doors for generations of singers, songwriters, musicians and dreamers from every walk of life , and across every continent. By her example, we believed that anything was possible.
“She never saw a door she couldn’t open, and the doors she opened made and changed history. My family and I have shared a lifetime of beautiful memories with Dolly, but so have you. She has always been on your television, your record player, your CD, and your phone playlist becoming an extended part of your family.”
Rest in peace to Dolly Parton and best wishes to her loved ones.
