Miley Cyrus is reflecting on the influence of her late godmother Dolly Parton, saying the country music legend helped her understand how to maintain a public persona while remaining connected to who she is away from the spotlight. Cyrus discussed their relationship and their final conversation during an appearance on Apple Music’s The Zane Lowe Show on Sept. 17, 2026.
Cyrus said her final conversation with Parton came while she was telling her about her new album, Bass Persuades, which is being released Sept. 18. She said their differences were part of what made their relationship work, describing Parton as someone whose glamorous public image existed alongside what Cyrus viewed as a deeply authentic personality.
The singer connected Parton’s example to her own experience growing up as Hannah Montana, a character that required Cyrus to navigate a highly recognizable public identity from a young age. Cyrus said Parton showed her that it was possible to have a persona without losing the person underneath it.
Cyrus also recalled conversations with Parton about her emotional performances. She said she often cries while performing, including during performances of “End of the World,” and remembered Parton questioning why she became emotional while singing. Cyrus recalled Parton explaining that music could provide escapism for audiences and encouraging her to allow listeners to experience those emotions.
Cyrus said she did not always immediately understand Parton’s advice but came to recognize how often her godmother’s guidance proved useful. She described Parton as being “always right,” comparing the experience to realizing the value of a parent’s advice later in life.
The conversation also brought Cyrus back to memories of performing with Parton. The two appeared together on Miley’s New Year’s Eve Party in 2023, where they performed “I Will Always Love You.” Cyrus recalled becoming emotional during the performance and said Parton represented one of several older artists who had helped establish the path she was following in music.
Parton died at age 80 on Aug. 25, 2026, following what her representative described as a brief battle with cancer. Cyrus shared a public tribute the following day, referring to Parton as her “Aunt Dolly” and writing about their private moments and the role Parton played in her life.
Cyrus’ latest comments come as she prepares to release Bass Persuades on Sept. 18. The album follows her 2025 project Something Beautiful and arrives several weeks after Parton’s death, with Cyrus continuing to discuss the personal and musical influence her godmother had on her career.
