In January 2024, fans and critics alike were taken aback by Elle King’s performance at the Grand Ole Opry.
The occasion was meant to celebrate Dolly Parton‘s 78th birthday, but King’s visibly drunken state overshadowed the tribute.
She struggled with the lyrics and admitting to the audience that she was drunk, King then started criticizing the crowd, which led to a lot of negative reactions online.
Elle King’s Inappropriate Opry Performance
Elle King’s drunken performance shocked the audience. King, admitting she was “hammered,” forgot lyrics and even swore on stage, derailing the event.
The next day, the Opry issued an apology on social media, responding to fans’ outrage over her behavior.
Despite efforts by her bandmates to steer the performance back on track, King struggled through songs like Parton’s “Marry Me” and appeared visibly intoxicated.
This incident had drawn both criticism and concern, as King had been candid about her struggles with substance abuse in the past.
She once shared that drinking helps ease her pre-show nerves, but this recent episode seemed to highlight deeper issues.
While some fans saw her actions as disrespectful, others viewed them as a cry for help.
A Behind-the-Scenes Struggle
Months later, in an interview with Kaitlyn Bristowe for the Off the Vine podcast, King provided some much-needed context to her behavior.
She revealed that she was dealing with a tremendous amount of personal pain at the time, something she had been keeping hidden from the public eye.
“I was very sad, and nobody really knows what I was going through behind closed doors,” King explained.
She implied that her outburst was almost inevitable given the high level of pain she was experiencing.
“Ultimately, like, I couldn’t go on living my life or even staying in the situation that I had been going through,” she continued. “I couldn’t continue to be existing in that high level of pain that I was going through at the time.”
The Path to Healing
King’s self-awareness and recognition of her need for help led her to seek out a “different type of therapeutic program,” although she stopped short of calling it rehab.
She admitted to having to overcome her own stubbornness to embark on her healing journey.
“I’ve had to heal and deal and go through things,” King shared. Someone had told her that there might be a silver lining in her experiences, which gave her a glimmer of hope.
Her decision to wait before publicly addressing her drunken performance was deliberate.
“I waited to talk about everything until I had better footing,” she explained, indicating that she wanted to speak from a place of stability rather than amidst chaos.
Personal Life Changes
The past few years have brought significant changes to King’s personal life.
She got engaged to tattoo artist Dan Tooker in 2020, and they welcomed their son, Lucky, in 2021.
However, earlier this year, King announced that she and Tooker had split up.
Reflecting on these changes, King said, “I think the last year of my life has just been a lot — like becoming a mom and my family dynamic changing — and trying to just be the best person that I can. And still f–king up royally — not even on the grand scale that like people know about. I’m still human.”
Moving Forward
King expressed a readiness to move on from her pain. “I’m ready to shed,” she said, referring to the emotional burden she’s been carrying.
“I’m ready to let go of it. I don’t want to carry this s–t for the rest of my life.”
While acknowledging that she’s not fully healed yet, King remains optimistic about her journey.
“The Band-Aid’s ripped off. I’m not healed yet. I’m just, like, opening,” she concluded.
Elle King’s candidness about her struggles and her journey towards healing provides a deeper understanding of the person behind the artist.
It shows that everyone, regardless of their fame, is human and vulnerable to life’s challenges.
While she works through her journey, fans and supporters can look forward to seeing a stronger, more resilient Elle King emerge.
Notable Drunken Performances by Country Stars
Drunken performances by country stars have occasionally made headlines, and a couple of memorable incidents stand out.
One of the most talked-about was Hank Williams Jr.‘s performance at the Newport Folk Festival in 1982.
Known for his energetic shows, Williams Jr. showed up visibly intoxicated, resulting in a chaotic and disjointed performance.
His erratic behavior and slurred speech caught the attention of fans and critics alike, leading to significant backlash.
Jumping to the late 1990s, David Allen Coe faced a similar situation. During a concert, Coe’s visibly drunk state led to an erratic performance that disrupted the show.
His usual charm was overshadowed by his condition, making the incident a notable topic among country music fans.
Another example from the 2000s involves Keith Urban. In 2006, during a live concert in Australia, Urban’s performance was marred by his apparent inebriation.
Struggling with lyrics and appearing unsteady, Urban faced concerns about his well-being and performance quality.
He later acknowledged his struggles with alcohol and committed to seeking help, turning a challenging moment into an opportunity for personal growth.
These moments reveal the impact of substance abuse on live performances and how artists often face and address these personal challenges publicly.
Elle King’s Hit Tracks
| Track Title | Album | Release Year | Notable Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ex’s & Oh’s | Love Stuff | 2015 | Two Grammy nominations, Platinum-certified |
| America’s Sweetheart | Love Stuff | 2016 | Charted on Billboard Hot 100 |
| Shame | Shake the Spirit | 2018 | Lead single from second studio album |
| Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home) | Single (with Miranda Lambert) | 2021 | Peaked at #1 on Billboard Country Airplay |
| Good Girls | Ghostbusters: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack | 2016 | Featured in 2016 Ghostbusters film |
| Under the Influence | Love Stuff | 2015 | Popular in TV shows and commercials |
| Baby Outlaw | Shake the Spirit | 2018 | Highlighted King’s rock influences |
Conclusion
- Elle King’s drunken tribute to Dolly Parton at the Grand Ole Opry surprised and disappointed many fans, but it also highlighted the intense personal pain she was experiencing at the time.
- In her candid interview with Kaitlyn Bristowe, King explained that she was going through a lot behind closed doors, which led to her inebriated state on stage.
- This incident, while unfortunate, has allowed King to open up about her struggles with substance abuse and the challenges she faces in her personal life.
- King’s honesty sheds light on the pressures and difficulties that even successful artists endure.
- Her decision to seek help and undergo a therapeutic program shows her commitment to healing and improving her life.
- Despite the backlash, King remains determined to move forward and use her experiences to grow both personally and professionally.
- It shows that everyone, regardless of their fame, can face significant challenges. Her willingness to share her story offers hope and inspiration to others dealing with similar issues.