Miley Cyrus reveals Dolly Parton’s final advice before death

Miley Cyrus has opened up about her final conversation with her godmother Dolly Parton, revealing the advice and encouragement the country music legend shared with her before her death.

Cyrus, 33, said during an interview with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe that their last conversation centred around music, identity and the balance between a public image and staying authentic.
The singer said Parton’s ability to maintain a larger-than-life persona while remaining genuine was one of the qualities that made their relationship special.

“She’s known for the hair, the makeup, the show of it, but there’s a part of her that everyone gravitates toward — how real she is and how authentic she is,” Cyrus said.

Cyrus credited Parton with helping her understand that having a stage persona does not mean losing touch with who she truly is, a lesson she connected to her years portraying Hannah Montana.

She recalled Parton’s reaction after watching her perform her song “End of the World” on My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman, where Cyrus became emotional while singing.

According to Cyrus, Parton encouraged her to embrace those emotions, telling her that music allows people to escape and that she should let audiences experience those moments with her.
Cyrus also reflected on performing “I Will Always Love You” alongside Parton during Miley’s New Year’s Eve Party in 2023, saying she valued Parton’s guidance as one of several older mentors who helped shape her career.

“She was always right about stuff,” Cyrus said of Parton.

Parton, who was 80, died on August 25. Cyrus later paid tribute to her godmother, describing their relationship as deeply personal and saying their final
conversations about music and change would remain among her most treasured memories.

Cyrus said she would continue to honour Parton by making music and living in a way that would make her proud.