Miley Cyrus is mourning the loss of Dolly Parton and has dedicated a deeply personal tribute to her late godmother in an Instagram post. The singer wrote about a loss that is almost impossible to put into words while highlighting the close bond they shared over the years. Parton died Tuesday in Nashville. For Cyrus, her passing marks the loss not only of a musical icon but also of a woman who had been by her side since childhood, shaping her and supporting her artistic journey.
Miley Cyrus Opens Up About Her Loss
In her message, Cyrus wrote: “The feeling of losing my Aunt Dolly is beyond what feels right to share. Our most sacred moments were private and they’ll stay there behind the stage, beneath the glamour & between our hearts.”
She added that Dolly Parton would have wanted her to allow herself to feel the pain, turn it into a song, and keep moving forward. A detail about their final conversation also carries particular emotional weight: they spoke about music and transformation.
Dolly Parton Was Part of Miley Cyrus’s Life From the Beginning
Dolly Parton’s connection to Miley Cyrus began before the singer was even born. In the 1990s, Miley’s father, Billy Ray Cyrus, was touring with Parton when he asked the country music legend to become his daughter’s godmother. Over the years, their personal bond grew into a close creative partnership as well.
Their Shared Love of Music Strengthened Their Bond
The two collaborated repeatedly throughout their careers. They performed “Jolene” together on several occasions, shared the stage at the 2019 Grammys, and appeared together on Miley’s New Year’s Eve Party. They also recorded songs together, including “Rainbowland” from Cyrus’s album Younger Now.
Their musical connection continued over the years. In 2023, Parton released her own version of Cyrus’s “Wrecking Ball,” while Cyrus later joined Parton and other artists on a new version of “Light of a Clear Blue Morning.”
