Elle King Apologizes After Drunken Performance at Dolly Parton Tribute

Elle King has issued an apology following a drunken performance at a tribute to Dolly Parton. The singer, who admitted to being ‘f—ing hammered,’ used profanity and struggled to remember the lyrics to a Parton song she was supposed to sing during the birthday salute. The incident took place at the Ryman Auditorium as part of the CMA Fest in Nashville, Tenn.

The backlash was swift, with many country music fans expressing their disappointment and mortification. One attendee at the performance at the Ryman Auditorium called King’s performance ‘horrible, drunk, and profane.’ Fans were outraged at having spent $300 on tickets for a show that was ruined by the artist.

In videos that circulated online, King can be seen forgetting the lyrics to ‘Marry Me’ and substituting profane language instead. She also engaged in awkward banter with hecklers in the crowd. In response to angry shouts, King told the audience, ‘You ain’t getting your money back. Hi, my name is Elle King and I’m f—ing hammered.’

There has been a divided reaction among country music fans. Some view King’s behavior as an attempt to cultivate a rebellious image as she transitions from pop-rock into country music. Others have expressed concern for her well-being, given her history of performing while intoxicated.

King has recently enjoyed success in the country music genre with her single ‘Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home).’ She has also appeared on several high-profile TV programs, co-hosting CBS‘s ‘New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash’ and ABC‘s ‘CMA Fest.’

Country music site Saving Country Music has called for King to apologize to both Parton and the Opry. The editors expressed disappointment, describing her performance as sad and perhaps a cry for help.

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