A Dolly Parton impersonator has criticized news organizations for failing to verify photographs after CNN mistakenly used her image while reporting on the singer's death. Las Vegas tribute performer Kelly Vohnn said she had not authorized anyone to use her image and would never attempt to deceive the public. "I would never fool people that way," she said in an Instagram video Thursday.
"People know that they're buying tickets to see an impersonator." The photograph appeared on Laura Coates Live on Tuesday as CNN covered Parton's death at the age of 80. It showed Vohnn dressed as the singer at a Las Vegas red carpet event for the movie Song Sung Blue. Vohnn said her photograph had previously been misidentified in coverage of Parton, and called on reporters to conduct better checks before broadcasting images.
"I would never disrespect Dolly, her family, or her loved ones this way," she said. "So please know that I am in no way a part of this." CNN has apologized for the mistake, telling The New York Post: "We regret the error and apologize to the Parton family." Vohnn said she was relieved that the network had contacted the family, adding that she did not want similar errors to happen again. This is a developing story.
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