CNN Apologizes for Airing Photo of Dolly Parton Impersonator in Death Coverage

The family of Dolly Parton received a formal apology from CNN on Thursday after the network aired a photograph of a Parton impersonator during its coverage of the country icon's death. In a brief statement to The New York Post, CNN said, "We regret the error and apologize to the Parton family." The image appeared on Tuesday night's broadcast of Laura Coates Live, roughly 12 hours after Parton's death was announced, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The tribute artist said she began receiving texts from friends shortly after the broadcast. "Somebody at CNN really messed up and didn't do their research," she said, according to The Hollywood Reporter. She added that she 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."

The impersonator emphasized that she has never presented herself as the real Dolly Parton. In a statement and video posted to Instagram on Thursday, Vohnn wrote that she did not give anyone permission to use her likeness to fool people into thinking she was Parton. "This has happened a couple of times now and it's not ok," she said.

Parton died Tuesday at the age of 80 following what her representatives described to People as a "brief battle with cancer." The type of cancer was not disclosed. The singer's death prompted an outpouring of tributes from across the music industry, with artists such as Harry Styles, Miley Cyrus, and Chris Stapleton honoring her legacy.

The error on Laura Coates Live drew attention to the challenges of covering a beloved figure's death in real time, when networks are cycling through decades of archival material.