Miley Cyrus has opened up about her final conversation with her godmother, country music icon Dolly Parton, revealing that the two spoke about music and Cyrus’ upcoming album shortly before Parton’s death.Cyrus, 33, discussed the emotional conversation during her Thursday, September 17, appearance on Apple Music’s ‘The Zane Lowe Show’. Parton died at the age of 80 on August 25 following a brief battle with cancer. Cyrus said their final conversation was centred on her new record, ‘Bass Persuades’, which is scheduled for release on Friday, September 18.“I’m just trying to keep myself together, but the time that we talked, which was the last time we would talk, it was actually me telling her about this record because even though we are so different, that’s what made us so perfect for each other,” Cyrus said.The singer reflected on the contrast between Parton’s larger-than-life public image and the authenticity she saw behind it.“She is known for, like, the fake, the hair, the makeup and the show of it. But there’s a part of her that I think is what everyone gravitates toward is how real she is and how authentic she is,” Cyrus said.Cyrus recalled that much of her own life had also involved creating and navigating different personas, particularly during her years as Hannah Montana.“And there was a time in my life, we hit on it with Hannah [Montana], so much of my life was about persona,” she said.According to Cyrus, Parton helped her understand that having a public persona did not mean she had to sacrifice her authentic self. She said she learned that she could “have a persona and still be who you are.”
Cyrus opens up about her stage persona
The singer also described the contrast between her onstage identity and the quieter side of her personality.“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,” Cyrus explained.“But again, that person’s inside of me. I just kind of have her off,” she added.Cyrus then recalled one of the conversations she had with Parton about her tendency to cry during live performances.“One of the things we talked about was, in my performances, I always cry; I can’t help it,” she said.Cyrus specifically remembered performing ‘End of the World’ and Parton’s reaction after watching her appearance on ‘Letterman’.“‘End of the World,’ I start crying, and she watched me on Letterman and was like, ‘What are you crying about?'” Cyrus recalled.“[I was] like, ‘That song’s about the world ending and me never seeing my mom again.'”
Dolly Parton’s advice to Miley Cyrus
Cyrus said Parton’s response reflected the wisdom she had come to expect from her godmother.“That’s pretty much what she said. She was like, ‘Music is escapism. Let them cry. You need to get through it,'” Cyrus recalled.“And I was like, ‘I know, but this is who I am,’ and she loved me for it.”Cyrus said Parton’s advice often proved to be right, even when she did not immediately understand it.“Dolly was just always right,” she said.“It’s like how your mom’s always right, and when you’re a kid, you’re like, ‘What does she know?'” Cyrus continued. “And then as you get older, you’re like … ‘How? Where did this come from? You’re just a normal person. Why do you know everything?’ Dolly was just always right about stuff.”
Miley Cyrus recalls performing with Dolly Parton
Cyrus also reflected on performing alongside Parton, including their 2023 collaboration on ‘Miley’s New Year’s Eve Party’. She recalled becoming emotional while singing Parton’s iconic song ‘I Will Always Love You’ with her.“I cried singing ‘I Will Always Love You’ with her,” Cyrus said.She explained that the emotion was connected not only to Parton but also to the older artists who had guided her throughout her career.“But I think she knew at that time that the reason I was crying is the reason that I cry now, ’cause I know that so many – not just Dolly, which is unique. That’s family. But so many of my really stabilizing peers that I have in my life, they’re generations before me, and they’ve laid down brick-by-brick the road that I travel now, and they aren’t always going to be here for me to call them and say, ‘What do I do now?,’ which I always did with Dolly,” Cyrus said.
Miley Cyrus’ emotional tribute after Dolly Parton’s death
Cyrus broke her silence following Parton’s death the next day, sharing an emotional tribute to her godmother on Instagram.“The feeling of losing my Aunt Dolly is beyond what feels right to share,” she wrote.“Our most sacred moments were private and they’ll stay there behind the stage, beneath the glamour & between our hearts.”Cyrus said she believed Parton would want her to process the loss through music and continue moving forward.“What I KNOW is Dolly would want me to feel it, write a song about it, and then continue on and be strong,” she wrote.“I have an angel by my side. I always have. One of our last conversations was about music and metamorphosis.”Cyrus continued, “I will always love her and want to make her proud. 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.”
Dolly Parton’s death and legacy
Parton died at age 80 on August 25 following a brief battle with cancer. A statement from her representative said: “Global icon and humanitarian, Dolly Parton, known to the world as a beloved singer, songwriter, philanthropist, actress, playwright and author died peacefully today in Nashville, Tennessee.”The statement continued, “A rhinestone life that shone bright enough for the world to see, Dolly will forever stand as an inspiration not only through her timeless music and prolific songwriting, but also her wit, warmth and kindness that made us all feel like family.”It added: “Dolly Parton’s legacy is one of love, compassion and resilience. With a seven-decade career, she inspired multiple generations of artists and fans with her music and an unwavering commitment to making the world a better place. Her songs will continue to resonate with people of all ages, and her philanthropic work will have a lasting impact.”For Cyrus, however, Parton’s legacy is also deeply personal. As her godmother and a longstanding influence on her career, Parton remained someone Cyrus could turn to for advice, particularly as she navigated the balance between her public persona and her private self.Cyrus’ new album, ‘Bass Persuades’, is set to be released on Friday, September 18.
