CNN apologizes to Dolly Parton’s family for using – Business News
CNN was pressured to apologize to Dolly Parton’s family for mistakenly using a picture of a Las Vegas impersonator of the nation music legend whereas reporting on her death.
The cable information community aired an image of tribute artist Kelly Vohnn because it lined Parton’s Tuesday death from most cancers — leaving the 58-year-old Vohnn shocked as associates started bombarding her with messages.
The errant image had been broadcast during “Laura Coates Live” some 12 hours after Parton’s death was introduced by her family.
CNN was pressured to apologize to Dolly Parton’s family for using a picture of a well-known impersonator in protection of her death.
“We regret the error and apologize to the Parton family,” CNN instructed The Post in a transient Thursday assertion.
Vohnn mentioned the picture was taken in December when she appeared on the crimson carpet at a Las Vegas screening of “Song Sung Blue,” starring Kate Hudson and Hugh Jackman.
“I started getting all these texts in from friends saying that I was on CNN, and I couldn’t believe it,” Vohnn instructed The Post on Thursday.
“I was already heartbroken at losing Dolly because of how much she has given to me as a woman and an artist,” she continued.
“But then to see these images of me on screen was just weird.”
Vohnn, a longtime singer and tribute performer who has portrayed Parton all through her profession, blasted the community for the embarrassing mix-up.
“Somebody at CNN really messed up and didn’t do their research,” she mentioned.
Vohnn mentioned Parton was “an inspiration” to her as a lady and entertainer and vowed to proceed celebrating the nation icon’s music following her death. Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency / SplashNews.com
“I felt so sorry and apologetic for Dolly, because over her career there are so many wonderful images and moments that they could have chosen from — and CNN just picked something not appropriate.”
Vohnn pressured that she has by no means tried to move herself off as the actual “Jolene” singer.
“To be clear, I have never represented myself as being Dolly ever in my life,” she mentioned. “I’ve at all times been often called a tribute act for her and lots of different stars.
“It was quite embarrassing, to be honest,” Vohnn mentioned of the CNN snafu.
Vohnn added that she thought of contacting CNN herself, however was too devastated by Parton’s death at age 80 to pursue the matter.
Las Vegas entertainer Kelly Vohnn has portrayed Dolly Parton as half of her profession as a tribute artist. Handout
“I thought about calling CNN, but was really consumed by the grief of losing Dolly [and] I just wanted to be at home with my thoughts, raising a glass of wine to that brilliant woman,” she defined.
Vohnn, who was born and raised in Toronto, started her profession within the Keith Burton Tribute Show earlier than pursuing a profession as a nation music artist.
She recorded her debut album, “A New Beginning,” and later returned to tribute performing whereas raising three kids, ultimately shifting her family to Las Vegas and developing her one-woman show, “Kelly Vohnn Divas.”
Vohnn went on to carry out in Vegas productions together with “Cowboy Cabaret” and “Cowboy Christmas” and portrayed celebrities as a “Dealertainer” on the Imperial Palace.
Dolly Parton died at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Tennessee after a transient battle with most cancers, in accordance to her staff. Miller Mobley/NBC through Getty Images
Her Reba McEntire act grew to become one other signature character, and in November 2010 she received a Reba McEntire look-alike contest in New York City.
But Vohnn mentioned Parton had a singular influence on her life and profession.
“Dolly has been a real force in my life, helping me through the lowest and highest moments of my life,” Vohnn mentioned.
“She really changed the world for so many people [and] for me personally.”
