The backlash from Elle King‘s drunken performance on the Grand Ole Opry continues.
In case you missed it, the country singer (and daughter of actor Rob Schneider) has created quite the controversy after her appearance on the Opry’s Opry Goes Dolly tribute to Dolly Parton on Friday at the Ryman Auditorium.
After appearing on the early show to perform “Jolene,” which reportedly went off without issue, King returned for the second show of the evening visibly intoxicated and started out her performance by slurring her way through Dolly’s “Marry Me” from her 2001 album Little Sparrow.
@traveler_bex #Elleking ruins #dollyparton birthday bash in #nashville ♬ original sound – Bex
King forgot the words to the song while telling the crowd in the middle of the song that she went to nearby Robert’s Western World:
“I went to Robert’s…I don’t give a sh*t…
Don’t tell Dolly. Holy sh*t. I swear to God if you guys tell Dolly…”
And it didn’t get any better from there. After the song, Elle unleashed a profanity-laced rant on the hallowed stage of the Ryman:
“Everyone’s like, ‘Holy sh*t, we bought tickets for this sh*t?’ I’m not even gonna lie. I’m not even gonna lie.
Holy sh*t. I’m not even gonna f*ckin’ lie. Y’all bought tickets for this sh*t? You ain’t gettin’ your money back.
I’ll tell you one thing that’s true. I’ll tell you one thing more.
Hi, my name is Elle King. I’m f*cking hammered.”
@lacychapman80♬ original sound – Lacy Chapman347
Yikes…
Fans immediately took to social media to call the performance disrespectful not only to Dolly, but to the Grand Ole Opry and the Ryman Auditorium. (The Opry is also broadcast live on WSM Radio).
The Opry even responded to a fan on Twitter (or X), apologizing for the language used by Elle King during the performance.
And while Dolly hasn’t publicly addressed the incident after it blew up on social media over the weekend, her sister Stella Parton did take to Twitter (or X, whatever) to give her thoughts.
Stella admits that she hasn’t seen the performance:
But she also says it’s not the first time a “hillbilly” has appeared on the Opry hammered – and questioned whether there’s a double standard when it’s a woman who’s doing it:
“But let me just say this, it wouldn’t be the first time a Hillbilly went on the stage of the Opry “hammered” but I guess it’s ok if you’re a male but good lord don’t ever let a girl behave that way folks! Double f*cking standard if ya ask me. So the Opry is apologizing! Lol”
But let me just say this, it wouldn’t be the first time a Hillbilly went on the stage of the Opry “hammered” but I guess it’s ok if you’re a male but good lord don’t ever let a girl behave that way folks! Double fucking standard if ya ask me. So the Opry is apologizing! Lol
— Stella Parton (@StellaParton) January 22, 2024
And she also criticized Elle for not “doing her homework” to learn the words to the song:
To any lil ego thinking they can learn the lyrics correctly with a half assed listen to one of Dolly’s song. Surprise! You’ll end up looking as silly as that lil girl. Do your homework people. Memorize the lyrics to Jolene or COMC. My sister loves words. A brilliant word smith.
— Stella Parton (@StellaParton) January 22, 2024
In a follow-up tweet, Stella also said that King “embarrassed herself” by not respecting Dolly.
Elle King has yet to respond herself, but it’s not the first time that fans have been concerned after she appeared on stage while under the influence.
The singer appeared on Nashville’s New Year’s Eve Bash earlier this month, and seemed to have started the party a little too early:
It’s one thing to embarrass yourself, but it’s definitely another to disrespect a legend like Dolly Parton and the Grand Ole Opry.
