CNN Issues Apology After Broadcasting Image of Dolly Parton Impersonator During Coverage of Singer’s Death

The cable news network CNN issued a formal apology Tuesday after inadvertently displaying a photograph of a Dolly Parton tribute performer during its broadcast reporting on the legendary entertainer’s death. The mistaken image appeared as correspondent Shimon Prokupecz delivered live commentary from Nashville on an episode of “Laura Coates Live,” where a series of photos was being shown to commemorate Parton’s life and career.

Parton, who died at age 80 following a brief illness with cancer, left an indelible mark on country music and popular culture worldwide. Her passing prompted an outpouring of tributes from fans and fellow musicians across the globe, reflecting her profound influence on the entertainment industry.

The photograph that aired incorrectly showed Kelly Vohnn, a Canadian-born Parton impersonator, who was pictured at a screening of “Song Sung Blue,” a film centered on the Neil Diamond tribute band Lightning & Thunder, which featured Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson. A CNN spokesperson acknowledged the mistake directly to Fox News Digital, stating: “We regret the error and apologize to the Parton family.”

Vohnn described the experience as bewildering, telling The New York Post that she was inundated with messages from friends alerting her to the broadcast error. The tribute artist expressed sympathy for Parton while criticizing the network’s editorial choice, calling the incident “quite embarrassing” and noting that CNN had selected inappropriate imagery for the coverage.