In a statement to the New York Post, CNN confirmed that it had corrected the error. “We regret the error and apologize to the Parton family,” a spokesperson for the outlet said.
Vohnn learned of the broadcast when friends contacted her. “I started getting all these texts in from friends saying that I was on CNN, and I couldn’t believe it,” she told the New York Post. “I was already heartbroken at losing Dolly because of how much she has given to me as a woman and an artist. But then to see these images of me on screen was just weird.”
She described the mistake as a failure of research. “Somebody at CNN really messed up and didn’t do their research,” Vohnn said. “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.” She emphasized that she has never presented herself as Parton: “To be clear, I have never represented myself as being Dolly ever in my life. I have always been known as a tribute act for her and many other stars. It was quite embarrassing, to be honest.”
Although Vohnn considered contacting the network, she ultimately did not. “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 explained. Calling Parton “an inspiration,” she said she would continue performing the singer’s music, adding that Dolly “has been a real force in my life, helping me through the lowest and highest moments of my life. She really changed the world for so many people [and] for me personally.”