CNN apologises after using impersonator's photo in Dolly Parton tribute

CNN mistakenly used a photo of Las Vegas tribute artist Kelly Vohnn in a montage honouring the late Dolly Parton. The network later apologised to Parton's family for the error. Vohnn, a longtime impersonator, has commented on the mix-up.

Vohnn's career path has been shaped by both formal training and personal circumstance. After studying voice at Toronto institutions, she built a repertoire impersonating multiple female stars, eventually founding her own label and releasing a debut album in 1999 that gained modest European attention. Her three children accompanied her on tour as she balanced performance work with single parenthood.

The mix-up occurred during a CNN tribute segment on Laura Coates Live, where Vohnn's photo from a 2025 film screening was used instead of Parton's image. CNN issued a formal apology to the Parton family, while Vohnn, who has performed as Parton for years, has publicly shared her thoughts on the incident.