Miley Cyrus paid an emotional tribute to her late godmother Dolly Parton during her Friday night show at the Hollywood Bowl, breaking down as she reflected on their bond before performing Jolene.
Parton died Aug. 25 at age 80 after a brief battle with cancer. Cyrus told the audience that the Hollywood Bowl carried special meaning because it was the only place she had ever seen Parton perform live.
Cyrus recalled wanting to attend that earlier concert simply as a fan. “If she had it her way, and she was playing a show, I’d be standing right beside her in a matching costume,” Cyrus said.
Instead, she asked Parton if she could just sit in the audience and experience the show the way everyone else did.
That plan didn’t last long.
Cyrus remembered hearing The Best of Both Worlds, the song from Hannah Montana, and realizing Parton had opened her show with it.
Then Parton told the entire audience that her goddaughter was there.
Cyrus joked that it defeated the purpose of trying to remain unnoticed, but said she now views the memory very differently. “Like so many things Dolly did, I didn’t understand at the time,” she said.
Cyrus became visibly emotional as she told the crowd she now feels Parton’s presence more strongly than ever.
“Me and Dolly, we are eternal,” Cyrus said. “Nothing in this life could ever tear us apart.”
She added that she believes she will see Parton again and admitted how deeply she misses her before launching into Jolene.
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The tribute came during Cyrus’ return to the Hollywood Bowl for one of two special performances tied to her latest musical era. It also marked one of her most public remembrances of Parton since the country legend’s death.
Their relationship stretched far beyond the honorary title of godmother. Parton appeared as Aunt Dolly on Hannah Montana, performed with Cyrus multiple times over the years, and remained one of the singer’s most visible mentors and supporters.
After Parton’s death, Cyrus described her as an “angel” and said their most meaningful moments were often the private ones the public never saw.
Friday night offered something different. It let thousands of people see just how much that relationship still means to her.
And for a few minutes at the Hollywood Bowl, Cyrus did not sound like a global pop star remembering another icon.
She sounded like someone missing family.
