Elle King Reveals Traumatic Incident Behind Disastrous Dolly Parton Tribute
Elle King has opened up about her botched Dolly Parton tribute, attributing the alcohol-fueled mishap to personal struggles and praising Dolly’s gracious response.
Speaking on Chelsea Handler’s podcast “Dear Chelsea,” King reflected on the disastrous January performance, describing it as a major mistake linked to a difficult period in her life.
King revealed she was dealing with significant trauma at the time, which had triggered her PTSD. Although she did not elaborate on the specifics, she mentioned that the day of the performance was particularly significant in relation to her issues.
Leading up to the show, King hadn’t eaten or slept for days. After a successful first performance, she took one shot too many, leading to complete disassociation and a lack of memory of the event. She recalls waking up in her dressing room, crying.
In the aftermath, King sent handwritten apologies to both the Grand Ole Opry and Dolly Parton. Dolly personally called King, offering comforting words about the incident.
During the performance at the iconic Nashville venue, King appeared on stage intoxicated, forgot the lyrics to one of Dolly’s songs, and used profane language throughout her appearance.
Despite criticism from Dolly’s sister, Stella, Parton publicly urged people to go easy on King, a gesture that King deeply appreciates.
Following the incident, King decided to take a break from public performances to address her personal issues. She has since returned to the stage, choosing to stay hydrated with water instead of alcohol.
Elle King Reveals Traumatic Incident Behind Disastrous Dolly Parton Tribute
