{
  "id": 3364655,
  "title": "Dolly Parton Played Miley Cyrus' Aunt On A Classic Disney Sitcom",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/dolly-parton-played-miley-cyrus-aunt-on-a-classic-disney-sitcom",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-25T22:36:33.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "TVLine",
    "slug": "tvline",
    "url": "https://www.tvline.com/2244254/dolly-parton-miley-cyrus-aunt-disney-sitcom-hannah-montana/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In 2003, country music legend Dolly Parton made her debut appearance in the Disney sitcom Hannah Montana. She portrayed Aunt Dolly, a close friend of Miley Stewart's parents, though not biologically related to the main character played by Miley Cyrus. Parton and Cyrus shared a real-life bond as godmothers, which inspired Parton's role on the show. Reflecting on the experience in 2020, Parton expressed how delighted she was to have introduced a younger audience to her music. She appeared as Aunt Dolly in two more episodes and even contemplated a role in the 2009 Hannah Montana movie. Although the character was not included in the final script, Parton viewed her time on the show as a significant career boost. Following the sitcom's conclusion in 2011, Parton and Cyrus collaborated on stage performances and released a duet of Cyrus' 2013 hit \"Wrecking Ball\" in 2023. The duo's friendship continued to flourish, with Cyrus praising Parton's impact on her life in a 2022 New Year's Eve special on NBC. Dolly Parton passed away on August 25, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of music, songwriting, and kindness that touched the lives of many.",
  "summary": "Dolly Parton and Miley Cyrus weren't just close on and off the stage, the singers also boasted a wholesome relationship on a classic Disney sitcom.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}