Miley Cyrus cried while paying tribute to her late godmother Dolly Parton during a performance at the Hollywood Bowl on Friday.
The beloved singer died on August 25 at the age of 80 after a personal battle with cancer.
While taking the stage at the iconic venue to kick off her concert series in support of her 10th studio album Bass Persuades, the former Disney Channel star began singing Parton’s hit track Jolene to the sold-out crowd.
Cyrus, 33, then told the audience that she once saw her godmother perform live at the Hollywood Bowl, which also inspired her to hold a show at the venue. hollywood reporter.
She recalled telling Parton that she wanted to watch from the crowd ‘as the rest of the world was watching’ at that time.
Cyrus said the late singer responded, “Okay, Miley,” though she joked, “It never means okay.”
Miley Cyrus, 33, cried while performing a powerful tribute to her late godmother Dolly Parton during a performance at the Hollywood Bowl on Friday; seen in 2019
While taking the stage at the iconic venue to kick off her concert series in support of her 10th studio album Bass Persuades, the former Disney Channel star began singing Parton’s hit track Jolene to the sold-out crowd; (Source: Variety)
Since Cyrus didn’t join her godmother on stage, Parton opened her show by singing The Best of Both Worlds, which is from the actress’ Disney show Hannah Montana.
‘But that’s not the end of that story,’ the star told fans in attendance Friday.
‘And she says like a proud aunt, “I don’t know if you all know this, but my granddaughter is Hannah Montana, and she’s actually here tonight, but she’s sitting outside in her seat. She didn’t want anyone to disturb her.
“She said she just wanted to watch the show,” Cyrus said, “which kind of defeats the entire purpose of our conversation.”
The singer reported that she could feel Parton’s presence with her on stage.
‘Sitting here with you right now, feeling her around me, knowing that she is with me every day, even more than when she was here. I feel it now more than ever.
Cyrus added that sharing the story with her fans “made that night so meaningful.”
‘This memory is golden for me. Me and Dolly, we are eternal,’ he said emotionally. ‘Nothing in this life can ever separate us, and I’m going to see her again.’
Since Cyrus did not join her godmother on stage, Parton opened her show by singing The Best of Both Worlds, which is from the actress’ Disney show Hannah Montana; (x/miley cyrus)
‘And she says like a proud aunt, “I don’t know if you all know this, but my granddaughter is Hannah Montana, and she’s actually here tonight, but she’s sitting outside in her seat. She didn’t want anyone to bother her,” Cyrus recalled; Parton was seen in Nashville in 2025
‘This memory is golden for me. Me and Dolly, we are eternal,’ he said emotionally. ‘Nothing in this life can ever separate us, and I’m going to see her again’; Will be seen in 2022
Cyrus paused with tears in her eyes to dab a tissue over her eyes as she bowed her head, prompting a cheer from the audience.
‘And I can’t wait because I miss him,’ she added.
‘Some of the greatest music we have today was written, produced, performed by my Aunt Dolly and this is one of those songs.’
The Grammy winner then performed Jolene for fans during Friday’s concert.
Social media users took to X to share their thoughts on the emotional moment, with one line writing, ‘Made me absolutely emotional oh my god.’
Another wrote: ‘That Miley and Dolly bond is so special – how emotional that Hollywood Bowl moment must have been.’
Parton died on August 25 at the age of 80, and her death was confirmed by her nephew Brian Seaver in an Instagram video.
He died after being admitted to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville due to autoimmune and kidney problems. tmz.
Cyrus paused with tears in her eyes to dab a tissue over her eyes as she bowed her head, prompting a cheer from the audience. ‘And I can’t wait because I miss him,’ she added; seen in 2019
Social media users took to X to share their thoughts on the touching moment, writing, ‘Absolutely made me emotional oh my god’
Parton’s representatives soon revealed in a statement to People that she died after a ‘brief battle with cancer.’
“Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity to everything she touched,” the statement said.
‘After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her earthly life today surrounded by her loved ones at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center.’
Following her godmother’s death, Cyrus shared a tribute on her main Instagram page and called the late singer an ‘angel.’
Along with a black-and-white photo of Parton, the actress wrote, “The feeling of losing my Aunt Dolly is beyond sharing.
‘Our most sacred moments were private and they will remain backstage, beneath the glamor and in our hearts.’
‘I have an angel with me,’ Cyrus said. I always have. Our last conversation was about music and transformation.
The star said she will ‘always love him and want to make him proud.’ My heart breaks for the world, his family and friends who will miss him deeply.
The statement read, ‘Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity to all she touched;’ seen in 1978
Following her godmother’s death, Cyrus shared a tribute on her main Instagram page and called the late singer an ‘angel.’
The country icon also performed with the actress in three episodes of the series Hannah Montana (seen above).
‘We are together in this loss and we will see her in all the most beautiful things.’
Cyrus and Parton have worked and performed together in the past, such as at Miley’s New Year’s Eve party in 2023.
The country icon also appeared in three episodes of the series Hannah Montana with the actress.
Cyrus is set to hit the Hollywood Bowl stage once again on Sunday, October 18 for her concert series in support of her Bass Persuades album.