CNN's Blunder: Network Mistakenly Airs Photo of Dolly Parton's Impersonator
The American network made a mistake during a broadcast in memory of the iconic country singer and was forced to officially apologize to the Parton family. The impersonator responded: "Seeing my pictures on the screen was just weird."
Someone at the network clearly messed up: CNN has apologized to the family of Dolly Parton after mistakenly airing a photo of her impersonator during a report on the singer's death.
The iconic country star passed away this Tuesday following a short battle with cancer. During the program "Laura Coates Live" on CNN, a photo of Kelly Vaughn, a well-known Parton impersonator from Las Vegas, was shown, featuring her in the signature dress and blonde hairstyle associated with the singer. Following the error, the network stated: "We regret the mistake and apologize to the Parton family."
"It was weird"
Kelly Vaughn said she was stunned to discover her photo had been aired, noting: "I started getting all these messages from friends saying I was on CNN, and I couldn't believe it." She added that she was heartbroken by Parton's death, noting that "seeing those pictures of me on the screen was just weird."
Vaughn criticized the network's conduct, claiming that "someone at CNN really messed up and didn't do their research," adding that she feels the need to apologize on their behalf. Vaughn clarified that although she performs as an impersonator, "I have always been known as a tribute act for her and many other stars."
"A loss for millions of people"
Parton's death led to widespread tributes across the USA. Miley Cyrus wrote that the feeling of loss is "too big to share in the right words," while the President of the United States, Donald Trump, eulogized Parton, calling her "one of the greatest country singers, and much more than that." He defined her passing as a "true loss for millions of people" and ordered the American flag to be flown at half-mast.
Taylor Swift wrote that "a world without Dolly doesn't feel possible, real, or right," and defined her as a combination of "true grace and true power." Beyoncé described her as the "North Star," while Eminem shared a letter she sent him in 2022, calling her an "icon" and a "superstar."
