CNN apologizes for using tribute artist's photo in Dolly Parton coverage
CNN issued an apology after a photo of Las Vegas tribute performer Kelly Vohnn was mistakenly included in a montage about Dolly Parton's death, prompting criticism from the artist.
CNN said it regretted an error that placed a photograph of Las Vegas tribute artist Kelly Vohnn in a montage aired on "Laura Coates Live" during its continuous coverage of Dolly Parton's death. The image, taken at a December red-carpet screening of the film Song Sung Blue, was used about 12 hours after the singer’s passing was announced.
The network released a brief statement on Thursday apologizing to the Parton family for the mistake. Vohnn, 58, told the New York Post she was surprised to see herself on television and expressed disappointment that the network had not verified the source of the picture.
"Somebody at CNN really messed up and didn’t do their research," Vohnn said.
She also clarified on Instagram that she has never claimed to be Dolly Parton and that the photos were taken at a public event attended by multiple impersonators. Vohnn urged media outlets to improve fact-checking to avoid similar incidents.
CNN’s apology and Vohnn’s comments highlight concerns about the use of unauthenticated images in fast-moving news coverage.