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Miley Cyrus is reflecting on the lessons she learned from her late godmother, Dolly Parton, including advice about beauty, performance, and staying true to yourself. In a recent interview with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe, Cyrus described Parton as a guiding presence in her life and recalled how the country legend helped her understand that a glamorous public persona did not have to replace her authentic self. Parton died at 80 on Aug. 25, 2026, after a brief battle with cancer, leaving Cyrus to carry forward memories of a relationship that shaped both her personal life and career.
Parton Taught Her That Glamour Could Be Powerful
Cyrus has previously recalled Parton’s advice before the 2024 Grammy Awards, when she was uncertain about whether she wanted to perform. Parton told her to show up and “show off” while embracing the hair, makeup, and entire production because beauty and style could serve as “armor” for performers. The lesson was not simply about looking glamorous, but about using presentation as a source of confidence while still remaining yourself.
The Advice Was About More Than Hair and Makeup
Parton’s message connected beauty with confidence and self-expression rather than treating appearance as an obligation to meet someone else’s standard. Cyrus explained that Parton was not telling her to become another version of Dolly or hide behind sequins, hair, and makeup. Instead, the advice encouraged Cyrus to use those elements as part of a performance while keeping her own identity underneath them.
Cyrus Learned You Can Have a Persona and Still Be Yourself
Cyrus said Parton helped her understand that a public persona does not have to erase the person behind it. That lesson was especially meaningful because Cyrus grew up playing Hannah Montana, a character built around a fictional double life, and later developed her own highly recognizable stage identity. Cyrus has said having Dolly in her life helped her see that someone can present a larger-than-life image while still remaining connected to who they really are.
Parton’s Own Image Was Part of the Lesson
Cyrus pointed to the contrast between Parton’s highly recognizable appearance and the authenticity people felt when interacting with her. Parton’s hair, makeup, and elaborate outfits became inseparable from her public image, yet Cyrus said the quality people gravitated toward was how real and authentic she remained beneath the performance. That combination helped Cyrus understand that glamour and authenticity do not necessarily have to compete with each other.
Dolly Was Also Willing to Have Tough Conversations
Cyrus has described Parton as someone who was never afraid to have difficult conversations with her, whether the subject involved her career, personal life, or public image. She recalled that Parton could tell her things she did not necessarily want to hear, but Cyrus repeatedly found that her godmother’s advice proved correct. That honesty became one of the reasons Cyrus viewed Parton as a stabilizing influence rather than simply a famous relative or musical mentor.
Parton Once Challenged Cyrus Over Her “Vacation” Era
Cyrus also recalled a humorous but pointed conversation with Parton during the promotion of her 2023 album Endless Summer Vacation. Parton questioned why Cyrus appeared to be promoting the project largely through bikini photos and told her that was not how she believed an album campaign should be handled. The conversation reportedly happened during a 45-minute car ride, giving Parton plenty of time to make her case and Cyrus no easy way to escape the advice.
Music Was at the Center of Their Final Conversation
Cyrus said her final conversation with Parton centered on the new record she was preparing to release, continuing a tradition that had lasted throughout her career. She said Parton was the first person she would send a vinyl copy to whenever she made a new record, and Cyrus maintained that tradition with her latest album. Their final conversation therefore remained connected to the music that had brought them together for so much of their lives.
Cyrus Says Dolly Helped Her Understand Her Own Identity
Cyrus has described herself as someone with different sides, comparing her performance persona with the quieter person who lives away from the spotlight. She said Parton’s example showed her that it was possible to have a persona while still being the person underneath it, a lesson that became particularly meaningful after years of public scrutiny. For Cyrus, the takeaway was not to choose between authenticity and showmanship, but to allow both to exist together.
Dolly Parton’s Beauty Lesson Became a Lesson About Confidence
The beauty advice Cyrus remembers most from Parton ultimately reaches beyond cosmetics, because the message was about using hair, makeup, clothing, and performance to step confidently into a public moment without losing yourself. Parton’s influence helped Cyrus navigate the complicated relationship between image and identity, from Hannah Montana to her career as a Grammy-winning artist. Even after Parton’s death, Cyrus says those lessons remain part of how she understands herself, her music, and the person she presents to the world.