Elle King has opened up about her disastrous performance at Dolly Parton's birthday tribute in January, revealing she was grappling with significant personal pain at the time. During a podcast interview, she expressed that she felt 'very sad' and unprepared for the performance, admitting to being visibly drunk and struggling with the lyrics. Following the incident, King sought help through a new therapeutic program, emphasizing the need for healing and personal growth. She acknowledged that her past struggles contributed to the situation, stating, 'I couldn’t continue to be existing in that high level of pain.' King has since received support from Dolly Parton, who described her as a 'great artist' and encouraged forgiveness for the mishap. Reflecting on her journey, King feels she has emerged as a 'different person' and is committed to learning from her experiences.