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Elle King is no stranger to life’s highs and lows, but few experiences have been as public or as humbling as the viral incident that followed her intoxicated performance at aGrand Ole Oprytribute to Dolly Parton in January.
Reflecting on that day, King acknowledges how deeply the moment impacted her, both personally and professionally.
In a candid interview withPeople, she opens up about how hitting rock bottom onstage became the catalyst for monumental changes in her life.
Keep reading for more details!
A Night to Forget at the Grand Ole Opry
The incident occurred at Parton’s 78th birthday celebration, where King was slated to performParton’s song “Marry Me.”
What should have been a celebratory moment turned into a disaster as King struggled through the performance, openly admitting she was “f–king hammered,” heckling the audience, and losing control of the evening.
The aftermath was immediate: the Grand Ole Opry issued a formal apology for her language, and King postponed a series of shows that had been scheduled for the coming weeks.
Dealing with the Aftermath
The fallout from the event left King grappling with the possibility that her career might never recover.
“Try having something bad you did go f–king viral — that was pretty hard,” she tellsPeople. “I never thought that a single human being would ever buy a ticket to my show again. But they do.”
Despite the embarrassment and regret that followed, King credits the experience as a wake-up call.
Parton herself weighed in on the situation with empathy, urging fans to“forgive” and “forget,”and hinting that King had been going through personal struggles.
Dolly Parton on Elle King’s Grand Ole Opry Ordeal
King later revealed that she had been enduring a high level of emotional pain at the time, and the chaotic performance was a reflection of that internal turmoil.
“Something like that was bound to happen,” she admits, acknowledging that her life was spiraling in a way that made such an incident almost inevitable.
Turning a Low Point Into a Turning Point
However, what could have been a career-ending moment became a turning point.
King embraced the opportunity for reflection and change. Instead of retreating in shame, she decided toconfrontthe issues that led to the debacle.
“I was afraid to have a drink before going onstage again because I appreciated someone buying tickets to my concert,” King says. “I wasn’t going to let them down.”
King acknowledges the pain she caused herself and her fans during that difficult time. “I did let people down that day,” she reflects. “And ultimately, I let myself down that day, and I never wanted to feel that way again.”
A New Beginning
Since then, King has worked tirelessly to heal and improve her mental and emotional well-being.
She credits this personal evolution for enhancing her performances, saying that her live shows are now better than ever.
“I’m definitely able to put on a better show because of some changes that I’ve made in my life,” she explains. “And it gets me more excited.”
She proudly declares that she is “the best version of myself now” after months of hard work.
A Mantra for the Future: ‘High Road’
The changes in her personal life have also influenced her professional work. King recently released a new single, “High Road,” which reflects her commitment to resilience and self-improvement.
The song’s title was inspired by a phrase that has become her mantra in recent months.
“Since last year, if anything was going wrong or something pissed me off, my manager would say ‘High Road 2024,’” she reveals.
“And that was our theme of, like, ‘Take the f–king high road, b–ch. Be the person that you would hope that you could be through any situation.’”
Stronger Than Ever
King’s journey serves as a testament to the power of vulnerability, self-reflection, and growth.
From the depths of a public scandal, she has risen stronger, more grounded, and more committed to being her best self — both onstage and off.
Now, as she embarks on her 2024 Baby Daddy’s Weekend Tour, she’s more focused and energized than ever.
Her fans have continued to show up for her, and King is determined to not only meet but exceed their expectations.
The Power of Redemption and Resilience
Through it all, King has learned the importance of taking responsibility and embracing the lessons that come from life’s toughest moments.
Her story is one of redemption, resilience, and the courage to keep moving forward, no matter how difficult the path may be.
As she continues her tour and shares her new music, King is living proof that it’s never too late to make changes, heal, and come back stronger than ever.
Full Name
Tanner Elle Schneider
Stage Name
Elle King
Profession
Singer, Musician, Songwriter, Actress
Date of Birth
July 3, 1989 (Age: 35)
Place of Birth
Los Angeles, California, United States
Musical Genres
Alternative Country, Blues Rock, Country, Rock, Blues
Influences
Country, Rock, Blues
Parents
Rob Schneider (father), London King (mother)
Siblings
Noah King
Spouse
Andrew Ferguson (m. 2016–2017)
Children
1
Famous Works
“Ex’s & Oh’s”, “High Road”, Baby Daddy’s Weekend Tour
Notable Incident
Viral intoxicated performance at Grand Ole Opry
Career Transformation
Took responsibility after viral incident and made personal changes to improve her performances
New Mantra
“High Road” – Symbol of personal growth and resilience
Last Updated: September 23, 2024
