Miley Cyrus Pays Tribute to Godmother Dolly Parton: “I Have An Angel By My Side”

Miley Cyrus mournfully remembered her godmother Dolly Parton, who died at 80. In her statement, Cyrus admitted, "The feeling of losing my Aunt Dolly is beyond what feels right to share." She emphasized, "Dolly would want me to feel it, write a song about it, and then continue on and be strong. I have an angel by my side." The two had shared a deep bond as Cyrus grew up, with Parton becoming her godmother around the time "Achy Breaky Heart" propelled Billy Ray Cyrus to fame.

Their relationship deepened through music, culminating in a duet of Parton's hit "Jolene" during Cyrus's Hannah Montana days and on The Voice in 2016 and at the 2019 Grammy Awards. Cyrus and Parton also collaborated on the song "Rainbowland" for Cyrus's sixth studio album. Their friendship culminated in a 2023 New Year's Eve party where they performed together.

Parton's influence was evident in Cyrus's own career, as she taught her to promote ideas before they existed. Even in Parton's final album, the two shared a duet of "Wrecking Ball."