Miley Cyrus is opening up about the Dolly Parton the rest of us never got to see. In a new interview with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe, Miley said the biggest misconception about her godmother is that the over-the-top hair, makeup, and showmanship were the whole story. In reality, she said, Dolly was the most authentic person she knew, and the glam was never the point.
The conversation came just weeks after Parton died on Aug. 25 at age 80 following a private battle with cancer. Miley shared that their final conversation was about her new album,“Bass Persuades,”which feels exactly right for two artists who bonded over the work itself. She also credited Dolly with helping her navigate the persona-versus-self balance during her Hannah Montana years, recalling a moment when she cried during a performance and Dolly told her,“Music is escapism. Let them cry. Get through it.”The two famously duetted on“I Will Always Love You”during a 2023 NBC New Year’s special.
So here’s what we want to know: what’s the best advice a mentor ever gave you? Drop it in the comments and we might read it on air.
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Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.