LAS VEGAS: Dolly Parton impersonator Kelly Vohnn said she was shocked to see herself in CNN’s memorial coverage after the network mistakenly used her photograph for the country music legend.
The error appeared during the August 25 edition of “Laura Coates Live,” when CNN showed a montage during its coverage of Parton’s death. The network later said it regretted the mistake and apologised to the Parton family.
The photograph actually showed Vohnn, 58, attending a December 2025 Las Vegas screening of Focus Features’ “Song Sung Blue.” She is a longtime tribute performer based in Las Vegas who has portrayed Parton on stage.
Vohnn told media outlets that friends began contacting her after recognising her on CNN. She said the incident felt particularly unsettling because she was already grieving Parton, whose career had strongly influenced her own.
Read: Dolly Parton Dies at 80 After Brief Cancer Battle in Nashville
She also criticised CNN for failing to verify the image. Entertainment Weekly reported that Vohnn stressed she had never claimed to be Parton and had not authorised CNN to use the photograph.
The Toronto-born performer studied voice before building a career in tribute shows. South China Morning Post reported that her stage repertoire has also included portrayals of Patsy Cline, Madonna, Shania Twain and Reba McEntire. She later released her own music through Payback Records.
Read: Dolly Parton brings back the Iconic Playboy Bunny Outfit at 77
Parton died on August 25 at age 80 after a brief battle with cancer. Her death prompted tributes across the entertainment industry and a private funeral in Nashville on August 28.
