Miley Cyrus is revealing a few details about the last conversation she had with her godmother Dolly Parton, who died in August.
Cyrus opened up about her relationship with Parton amid a Sept. 17 interview with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe. During their chat, Cyrus spoke about a tradition she’s had with Parton since she started to release music on vinyl.
“Dolly has been the first person that when I get a vinyl printed, that’s the first person I send it to since I’ve been making vinyls, and this time around I’m going to send her a vinyl because I always do,” she said about her plans for new album, “Bass Persuades,” out Sept. 18.
“But the time that we talked, which was the last time we would talk, it was actually me telling her about this record,” she continued as she became emotional.
Parton, who died at age 80, has long been a critical part of Miley Cyrus’ life. The “Jolene” singer toured with, and became close to, Miley Cyrus’ father, fellow country singer Billy Ray Cyrus. And she assumed the role of godmother upon Miley Cyrus’ birth in 1992.
Over the years, Parton collaborated with Miley Cyrus on music, performing together several times. She also guest-starred in three episodes of Miley Cyrus’ Disney Channel show “Hannah Montana.”
In the Apple Music interview, the “Flowers” singer said that even though she and Parton were so different, they perfectly matched one another.
“She knew this and I know this, she is known for the faux, the fake, the hair, the makeup, the show of it,” Cyrus explained. “But there’s a part of her that’s what I think everyone gravitates towards, (which) is how real she is and how authentic she is.”
She said it was one of the many ways she related to Parton. And it became particularly apparent as she began her career singing as her alter ego “Hannah Montana.”
“I think a way that I could look at that as you can have a persona and still be who you are is because I had Dolly,” she shared. “Sometimes I call what I do drag because the way that I present myself is just someone that is so different from the person that feeds the tortoise every morning. But again, that person’s inside of me. I just kind of have her off.”
The Grammy winner then shared more about her connection with Parton. She said she would frequently call the “9 to 5” singer for advice, asking, “‘What do I do now?’”
Parton always gave her the best responses, of course.
“She was always right,” Cyrus said. “It’s like how your mom’s always right, and when you’re a kid, you’re like, ‘What does she know?’ And then as you get older, you’re like, ‘Everything. How? Where did this come from? You’re just a normal person. Why do you know everything?’ Dolly was just always right about stuff.”
She also revealed Parton was the one who encouraged her to wear a Bob Mackie dress for her 2024 Grammys performance. She sported a voluminous ‘do Parton would approve of that night, too.
“I would’ve never worn Bob Mackie if it wasn’t for Dolly…she was like, ‘You need to just fake it.’”
The interview comes after Cyrus paid tribute to her “fairy godmother” in a sweet Instagram post Aug. 26.
Alongside a black-and-white photo of Parton, she 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 she was sure Parton would want her to sing about how she was feeling. She also said she knows that despite the loss, she will always have “an angel” by her side.
“I will always love her and want to make her proud,” Cyrus wrote. “My heart breaks for the world, her family and friends who will miss her deeply. We’re in this loss together and we will see her in all of the most beautiful things.”
This story first appeared on TODAY.com. More from TODAY:
- Reba McEntire Honors Dolly Parton at 2026 Emmys With Touching Cover Performance
Dolly Parton’s First Posthumous Song, ‘Bound to Ride,’ Features Her Beloved Sense of Humor
Dolly Parton Estate Announces 2-Day Festival ‘Dollyfest’ to Celebrate Her Legacy
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