The Grand Ole Opry has apologized following a performance by singer Elle King at their Dolly Parton tribute concert that has received major backlash. Fans complained about King’s “drunk and profane” performance Friday at the Opry’s Dolly Parton birthday tribute. Parton, who did not attend the tribute, celebrated her 78th birthday Friday.
After the Opry had originally posted on Friday that singer Lauren Alaina had dropped out of the tribute, a fan named Judas responded, “I wish she would’ve been there because 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.” Subsequently, the Opry apologized Saturday, writing, “Hi Judas, we deeply regret and apologize for the language that was used during last night’s second Opry performance.”
Footage from the show on social media shows King forgetting the lyrics to Parton’s “Marry Me” and cursing onstage. The singer also mocked the audience, saying, “Y’all bought tickets for this [expletive]? You ain’t getting your money back,” and she later said, “Hi, my name is Elle King. I’m [expletive] hammered.”
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