Elle King, the singer-songwriter and daughter of actor-comedian Rob Schneider, recently made headlines for her performance at the tribute concert celebrating Dolly Parton’s 78th birthday. What was meant to be a night of heartfelt performances dedicated to the iconic country music queen turned into controversy and disappointment for fans and attendees.
On the evening of Dolly Parton’s birthday celebration, multiple artists took the stage at the Grand Ole Opry to perform some of Parton’s timeless classics. Elle King was among the performers scheduled to showcase her rendition of Parton’s hit song, “Marry Me.” However, her performance did not go as planned. Videos captured by fans in the audience showed King struggling with the lyrics and displaying what appeared to be signs of intoxication.
As Elle King stumbled through the performance, she made controversial remarks that further fueled the disappointment of the audience. In one video, she substituted expletives while admitting her lack of familiarity with the lyrics, stating, “I don’t know the lyrics to these things in this fking town… Don’t tell Dolly ’cause it’s her birthday.” She also declared, “Hi, my name is Elle King and I’m fking hammered.” These remarks, combined with her apparent intoxication, led to widespread outrage and criticism from fans.
Fans who had eagerly anticipated a memorable tribute to Dolly Parton expressed their dismay at Elle King’s performance. One attendee took to social media to share their disappointment, stating, “Elle King ruined the night with her horrible, drunk, and profane performance. Dolly Parton would’ve been mortified. For our first time at The Opry, it was a shame we all had to witness that.” Others echoed similar sentiments, expressing their disappointment at spending a significant amount of money on tickets for a show that was marred by a lackluster and intoxicated performance.
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In response to the mounting criticism, the social media account for the Grand Ole Opry issued an apology for the language used during Elle King’s performance. They expressed regret and acknowledged the disappointment that fans experienced. However, the apology did little to quell the frustration and disappointment felt by many attendees who had hoped for a more respectful and memorable tribute to Dolly Parton.
This is not the first time Elle King has faced backlash for her behavior while performing. During Nashville’s New Year’s Eve celebration in 2023, she received social media criticism for slurring her words and delivering a seemingly intoxicated performance of her hit song, “Drunk (and I Don’t Wanna Go Home).” While some defended her, pointing out that many performers partake in celebratory drinks on New Year’s Eve, others viewed her behavior as unprofessional and disrespectful to her audience.
Dolly Parton, known for her illustrious career and timeless music, has shared her personal perspective on drinking and performing. In her memoir, “Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones,” she mentioned that she enjoys a drink on special occasions or during flights to ease her nervousness. However, Parton emphasized that she is not a heavy drinker and prefers moderation. Her focus remains on her role as a mother and maintaining a sense of professionalism in her performances.