Country star Elle King has spoken out for the first time about her widely criticized performance at Dolly Parton's birthday celebration at the Grand Ole Opry in January, where she slurred lyrics, cursed at the audience, and admitted to being "hammered."
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Elle King has finally addressed her much-discussed drunken performance at Dolly Parton's 78th birthday tribute at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, which sparked widespread backlash. In an interview with Chelsea Handler on the "Dear Chelsea" podcast, King opened up about the incident for the first time.
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King revealed that she was going through a "heavy and traumatic" time in her life at the time of the performance and was suffering from severe PTSD. She had not slept or eaten for days and felt overwhelmed and dissociated during the performance.
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The "Ex's and Oh's" singer explained that she had been asked to fill in as the headliner for the second show that night after another singer dropped out due to a snowstorm. She performed well in the first show but consumed alcohol between performances, which impaired her judgment.
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King admitted that she took "one shot too many" and was not "there in my body" during the second performance. She struggled with the lyrics to Parton's song "Marry Me," swore profusely, and made inappropriate remarks toward the audience.
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After the concert, clips of King's performance circulated online, drawing widespread criticism. She faced backlash for her unprofessional conduct and disrespect toward Parton and the Grand Ole Opry.
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King apologized for her behavior in a series of social media posts and sent handwritten letters of apology to both Parton and the Opry. She expressed her deep regret and embarrassment and acknowledged that her actions were inexcusable.
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Parton reached out to King a few days later and offered her support. "Dolly's not mad at you. Why should the world be?" she told King, who said she will never forget the kindness Parton showed her during that difficult time.
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King recognized that she owed an explanation to the audience and the public and admitted that she did not handle the situation appropriately. She emphasized, however, that her personal struggles did not excuse her behavior.
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As a result of the incident, King said she made positive changes in her life and no longer drinks before she performs. She believes that the experience was a wake-up call and has helped her grow as a person.
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Despite the negative consequences, King said she is trying to find a silver lining in the experience and use it as a tool for self-improvement. She remains committed to her music and is proud of the progress she has made since that night.
