Miley Cyrus recalls final conversation with godmother Dolly Parton

Miley Cyrus opened up about her final conversation with her godmother, Dolly Parton, before the country music icon's passing on Aug. 25.

Speaking on Apple Music with Zane Lowe, the 33-year-old singer recalled that their last discussion centered on her upcoming album, Bass Persuades.

“Dolly has been the first person that when I get a vinyl printed,” Cyrus shared in the podcast. “That’s the first person I send it to since I’ve been making vinyls, and this time around I was going to send her a vinyl because I always do."

"I'm just trying to keep myself together, but the time that we talked, which was the last time we would talk, it was actually me telling her about this record because even though we are so different, that's what made us so perfect for each other," Cyrus continued.

Despite Parton’s larger-than-life public image, Cyrus emphasized that her godmother's unwavering authenticity was what she admired most.

"She's known for, like, the fake, the hair, the makeup, the show of it," Cyrus said. "But there's a part of her that's just what I think everyone gravitates toward is how real she is and how authentic she is."

Cyrus noted that playing Hannah Montana taught her a lot about identity, but Parton helped it all make sense, showing her that a public persona doesn't require losing your true self.

Looking back on the decades of guidance the music legend offered her, Cyrus added simply: "Dolly was just always right about stuff."

Reflecting on their iconic 2023 performance of I Will Always Love You during Miley's New Year's Eve Party, Cyrus acknowledged the painful reality of losing her lifelong mentor—realizing there would come a day when the veteran artists who guided her would no longer be a phone call away.

Cyrus is an American singer and actress who rose to fame as the star of Disney Channel's Hannah Montana. She became a successful artist known for hits including Wrecking Ball and Flowers. Her new album, Bass Persuades, is set for release on Sept. 18.

Meanwhile, Parton was one of country music’s most influential figures, with a career spanning more than six decades. She rose to fame with hits including Jolene, 9 to 5, and I Will Always Love You, while also building a successful career as an actress, songwriter, and producer.

She had a brief battle with cancer before she died, as confirmed by her team.