Dolly Parton and Miley Cyrus are queens of the music industry.
But Parton is much more than a beloved celebrity to Cyrus, she's essentially a member of Cyrus'
family as Miley’s godmother.
Here's an inside look at Parton and Cyrus' relationship and just what Parton thinks about
Cyrus' evolution.
Before Dolly Parton became Miley Cyrus' godmother, she acted as a mentor to the pop star's famous
father, Billy Ray Cyrus.
In a 2018 interview with Dan Rather, Billy Ray recalled how Parton helped his country
music career, telling Rather:
"When ['Achy Breaky Heart'] came out, Dolly put me on her tour as an opening act."
However, as Billy Ray Cyrus revealed, his early professional relationship with Parton
was plagued with rumors that the two were romantically involved.
He went on to say:
"Some of the headlines in the tabloids had Dolly and myself, pictures of us and saying
something was going on."
The "Old Town Road" singer revealed he was quote "so upset" about the tabloid headlines
and rumors.
As Billy Ray tells it, he went to Parton to apologize for the vicious rumors concerning
them both; however, Parton had quite a different outlook on the tabloid drama.
He stated:
"She looked at me, and she said, 'Honey, that s--- sells records.’
From that moment on, we became very good friends."
Dolly Parton was never romantically involved with Billy Ray Cyrus; however, the platonic
love between the two proved strong enough to continue far beyond their first tour together.
After getting to know the iconic songstress and laughing off any rumors of a secret romance,
he even went on to star as the male lead in the music video for Parton's song "Romeo."
Parton credits her friendship with Billy Ray to their shared roots.
Speaking with Jennifer Hutt on Sirius XM's Just Jenny show, Parton revealed:
"We just kind of gelled, 'cause we're both country kids.We had a lot of fun just talking
about that."
Cyrus and Parton's country roots provided a steady foundation for a long-lasting friendship,
so when Miley Cyrus was born in November 1992, Parton made it clear that she wanted to be
a major part of the future pop star's life.
Parton stated:
"When Miley came along, I said, 'She's got to be my fairy goddaughter.'"
Dolly Parton's roster of country tunes is seemingly endless, and it's nearly impossible
to choose only one favorite.
However, one song of Parton's is particularly memorable both for its melody and the story
it tells.
Released in 1973, "Jolene" features a forlorn Parton singing about a mysterious woman with
quote "flaming locks of auburn hair" named Jolene.
It's an undeniably catchy song, and also a go-to karaoke pick for aspiring Dolly Partons
everywhere.
In November 2019, Netflix released Heartstrings, an eight-episode anthology series inspired
by eight of Parton's most beloved songs.
In the episode "Jolene," Julianne Hough plays a red-headed singer-songwriter whose flirtatious
ways seemingly threaten a marriage.
However, Parton revealed to Entertainment Tonight that Hough wasn't her first pick for
the role.
Parton said:
"Years back when I used to think of Jolene...I used to think...Miley [Cyrus] would have been
great at that as well."
However, as Parton explained, Miley Cyrus' busy schedule didn't leave much time for filming.
You don't have to be a Miley Cyrus superfan to know the pop star is far from the Disney
darling she once played.
In a 2019 interview with Elle, Cyrus revealed she knew at age 18 that she needed to shed
her Hannah Montana persona.
"It’s a lot to put on a kid.
To have them have to go get their make-up done and then also balance school, and also
have me dress up, you know, in a wig."
Since leaving Hannah Montana behind, Cyrus has been the subject of countless headlines
and controversial moments, namely, twerking on Robin Thicke at the 2013 MTV Video Music
Awards, her experimental album Miley Cyrus and Her Dead Petz, and her dramatic style
evolution.
And there's plenty of celebs who can't stand Miley Cyrus.
In an interview with Us Weekly, Dolly Parton was asked if she was shocked by her goddaughter's
transformation, to which the country songstress replied:
"Well, yeah, but in a good way.
I had to laugh, I thought 'Wow,' but I realized she had to do it, she had to go to that extreme,
so bless her heart."
Plus it's not like Dolly Parton hasn't had her own stunning transformation over the years.
Not everyone was onboard with Miley Cyrus' shocking transformation from Hannah Montana,
the squeaky-clean Disney star, to the provocative pop singer she is today.
However, despite the overwhelming concerns of those who had watched Cyrus blossom into
an adult on TV, one person in the pop star's life was unwavering in her confidence that
Cyrus would make the right decisions and prove her critics wrong.
When Cyrus was named one of Time's 100 Most Influential People in 2014, Parton penned
a dedication to the star, writing:
"If I didn't know how smart and talented Miley is, I might worry about her.
But I've watched her grow up.
So I don't."
The country music legend added:
"She was very proud of the work she did as Hannah Montana, but people were gonna leave
her there forever.
And she was just smotherin' and chokin' in it.
So she felt she had to do something completely drastic.
And she did."
Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth's strange on-again, off-again relationship has been the subject
of much tabloid fodder throughout the years.
After meeting in 2009 on the set of The Last Song, the two were spotted kissing at the
Nashville airport.
Shortly thereafter, in March 2010, Cyrus and Hemsworth made their red carpet debut, and
despite a short break in the summer of 2010 the couple's relationship remained steady
for years, leading to their 2012 engagement.
However, in 2013, Cyrus confirmed that the wedding was off.
The two went their separate ways until 2016, when they announced they were once again together
and happily engaged.
When asked if she had any marriage advice for her goddaughter, Dolly Parton told Digital
Spy:
"I just say to be respectful and mindful of the other person's feelings and try to compromise
when you need to...I would say be cautious and be careful.
And be loving and kind!"
The couple wed in an intimate December 2018 ceremony, but not even a full year later,
in August 2019, Hemsworth filed for divorce from Cyrus.
Despite her icon status, Dolly Parton is one of those celebrities who seems to radiate
kindness, warmth, and a down-to-earth spirit.
While she might be a superstar now, Parton has never forgotten the small Tennessee mountain
home in which she was raised.
Dolly’s roots have inspired the star to generously give back and care for others.
Parton told The Boot in a 2016 interview:
"We're supposed to care about each other, and I try my best to do that.
I pray every day that God will lead me and direct me and bring all the right, the good
things in, take all the wrong, the bad things out."
It seems Parton has passed her personal philosophy on to Miley Cyrus.
In a 2017 interview with Cosmopolitan, the "Wrecking Ball" singer revealed the best part
about having Parton as a godmother, saying she loves quote "watching the way [Parton]
treats people with love and respect."
Cyrus continued, saying Parton is a reminder to always quote "never let success change
your heart."
In October 2019, Dolly Parton celebrated her 50th anniversary as a member of the historic
Grand Ole Opry.
Speaking with Extra about the momentous occasion, Parton shared just how much it meant to her:
"That was my dream as a child, and just to sing on the Opry and become a member."
However, Parton's big week was a bit overshadowed by goddaughter Miley Cyrus' relationship drama.
From her split from her husband, Liam Hemsworth, to her short-lived fling with Kaitlynn Carter,
to her buzzed-about rumored relationship with Cody Simpson, Cyrus' love life seemed to be
a constant in the celebrity news cycle.
Still, Parton refused to speculate or talk negatively about the pop star when asked for
a comment.
Parton told Extra:
"I think she does some stuff just for shock value, and just, you know, just because she's
young she can afford that.
I will never, ever bad-mouth Miley, no matter what she does."
In September 2017, Miley Cyrus revealed that "Rainbowland," a song from her sixth studio
album, Younger Now, would feature Dolly Parton.
However, Parton didn't just serve on the song as a guest vocalist.
She also served as the tune's co-writer.
Speaking with Taste of Country Nights, Parton revealed the song's deeper meaning:
"It's really just about dreaming and hoping that we could all do better.
It's a good song for the times right now."
In an interview with NME, Cyrus called out a particular lyric from the song.
She explained:
"One line is such a Dolly lyric, it says, 'We are rainbows, me and you / Every color,
every hue,' Because a rainbow's not a rainbow without all the different colors."
Describing the inspiration for the song, Cyrus told the Recording Academy:
"We wanted to write a song that could really make a difference...that could speak to the
current situation of not only our country but the world."
There's no questioning the fact that Dolly Parton is one of a kind.
While she's no stranger to being imitated, Dolly Parton's raw talent, songwriting abilities,
and larger-than-life persona simply cannot be duplicated.
It's safe to say there will never be another Dolly.
In a 2014 interview with The Telegraph, Parton was asked if she thought it was possible for
quote "young pretenders" like Miley Cyrus to access the same kind of authenticity in
their music that Parton has embodied throughout the entirety of her country music career.
Parton responded:
"Well, Miley does have that 'ole time feeling from her daddy [Billy Ray] and the way he
grew up.
Through her grandparents in Kentucky she is connected to that earthy feeling and attitude.
I promise you that [Cyrus will] surprise the world with her talent through the years."
That's some serious admiration from a seriously one of a kind country legend!
When Dolly Parton is your godmother, it's only natural that people will want to ask
you about her, even if you're a giant pop star yourself.
Fortunately, Miley Cyrus doesn't seem to mind the questions she gets regarding her relationship
with her legendary fairy godmother.
In fact, the "Don't Call Me Angel" songstress doesn't shy away from gushing about Dolly,
the woman who's been such a major influence throughout her entire life.
While discussing her album Younger Now in a 2017 interview with NPR, Cyrus was asked
to reveal Parton's words of wisdom for navigating stardom and all it entails, and ensuring a
long lasting career.
Cyrus responded:
"The best thing that she does is she's not afraid to laugh at herself.
And she pushed the boundaries for country music, by looking the way that she does, and
saying the things that she says, and being...that way.
She does it because she likes it.
If you want to be pushing the boundaries, you have to like it."
At the beginning of 2019, Miley Cyrus seemed as if she'd decided to permanently say goodbye
to the days of having her personal life used as fodder for supermarket tabloids.
After announcing in August her separation from Hemsworth, though, it didn't take long
for Cyrus' personal life to become front and center in the media once again.
But despite Cyrus' roller coaster of a year, Dolly Parton has remained confident that the
pop star has everything under control.
Parton told People in a November 2019 interview:
"Miley's smart; Miley knows what she's doing.
I know we think she doesn't, and she might not every minute, but I still know that she's
got good stuff in her."
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