Elle King Butchers Dolly Parton Song During Drunken Performance [VIDEO]
By Kelly Coffey-Behrens on January 22, 2024 at 11:45 AM EST
Country music singer Elle King is being slammed for performing a Dolly Parton song while completely plastered.
The 34-year-old admitted she was "hammered" as she took the stage at the Grand Ole Opry. King then attempted to sing an iconic Dolly Parton song as part of her 78th birthday celebration, but she got the lyrics all wrong, leaving country music fans and attendees horrified.
Elle King Takes Stage At Grand Ole Opry Completely Plastered
“Hi, my name is Elle King. I’m f---ing hammered,” she told the audience before she began slurring her speech and singing the words of Dolly Parton's 2001 hit 'Marry Me'.
As she went on to butcher the song, she then began singing, “I don’t know the lyrics to this thing in this f---ing town. Don’t tell Dolly ’cause it’s her birthday," as she could not remember the actual words to the hit.
King then told the audience “I’m not even gonna f---ing lie, you bought tickets for this s---? You ain’t getting your money back.”
One attendee shared a video of the performance, writing, “I think Elle King just ended her career. I can't imagine disrespecting Dolly at the Grand Ole Opry on Dolly's birthday."
"I hope Elle gets the help she needs because this does not pass the vibe check," the social media user added.
Elle King has a history of substance abuse. In 2020, the country music singer revealed she used drugs and alcohol to “mask” the emotions following her destructive marriage, but, she said she got help and was sober.
Watch Elle King's Drunk Dolly Parton Performance
Fans of country music immediately slammed Elle King for "disrespecting" Dolly Parton and for cursing in the Grand Ole Opry.
"cussing at the opry??? the church of country music???" one user commented on the video as another said, "Dude, at THE GRAND OL OPRY, the CHURCH of Country music with her fake accent, [cursing] up a drunken storm. How sad & embarrassing."
"Even I know not to cuss at Grand Ole Opry! They should have stopped her, this is embarrassing," another said.
One social media user, who was in attendance during the performance, said it was "much worse than this video clip shows."
They added, "The Grand Ole Opry is a family show. The people in front of us had children & walked out."
This latest drunk performance comes after Elle King hosted ‘New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash’, where, once again, she was visibly intoxicated.
Fans are worried about the country music singer, and they hope she gets the help she needs.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, help is available. SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment. Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or visit their official website.