Elle King recently opened up about her controversial drunken performance at the Grand Ole Opry for Dolly Parton’s birthday. The 34-year-old singer was part of a birthday tribute to Dolly Parton, during which she was seen slurring her words multiple times before admitting she was ‘hammered.’ In a podcast, King revealed that she had been going through a difficult time before the performance, dealing with something heavy and traumatic in her life. She explained that she suffers from severe PTSD and had not eaten or slept for days leading up to the event. Despite being overwhelmed, she agreed to step in as the headliner for a last-minute replacement.
During the performance, King admitted to taking ‘one shot too many,’ causing her to feel disassociated and not present in her body. She does not remember what she said on stage and was ultimately overcome with emotion, sobbing in the dressing room afterward. The next day, she felt mortified as news of her actions spread, and she hand-wrote apology letters to both the Grand Ole Opry and Dolly Parton. Parton herself later called King to offer words of kindness and encouragement, showing compassion that King described as proof that angels exist. Despite the difficult aftermath, King decided to take a two-month break from touring to focus on herself and her mental health.
King eventually returned to social media in March to thank her supporters for their love and understanding, acknowledging both the positive and negative reactions she received. She expressed gratitude for those who showed her kindness during her darkest moments and revealed that she had spoken to Dolly Parton directly about the incident. King’s experience serves as a reminder of the importance of mental health and self-care, especially during challenging times. She hopes that by sharing her story, others may also find the courage to seek help and support when needed. Overall, King’s journey highlights the power of forgiveness and compassion in overcoming adversity and moving forward with grace.
