Miley Cyrus has met many famous people through her own and her father Billy Ray Cyrus’ musical careers. One of those people is Dolly Parton, who even featured as Miley’s “Aunt Dolly” in the Disney series Hannah Montana. It is widely known how Miley is goddaughter to the Queen of Country – but how did that happen?
Dolly is not actually related to the Cyrus family by blood, but by a close familial bond as she was made Miley’s godmother.
In fact, Dolly prefers the term “fairy godmother” as it is less “official”.
This came about because of Dolly’s link with Miley’s father, country singer Billy Ray Cyrus, who she met in the 1990s.
The pair originally met when Billy Ray toured with Dolly, soon after the release of his most famous single, Achey Breaky Heart.
Rather than sparking rumours of them being related, it instead sparked romance rumours, as Billy Ray revealed in an interview with Closer.
He said: “When I was on her tour, there was a headline that she and I were romantically involved.
“Dolly looked me straight in the eyes and said, ‘Honey, that s*** sells records!’”
He added: “I love Dolly. I probably wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing without her.”
Asked in a separate interview how Dolly became Miley’s godmother, Billy Ray simply said: “It beats the hell out of me!”
Clearly, despite their friendship since their supposed “romance” went south, was strong enough for Dolly to take up the offer.
The pair even went on to release a single together, Romeo, which became a chart hit in the USA.
Billy Ray’s feelings for Dolly were not one-sided either, as Dolly once interviewed her protégé for NBC in the 1990s, where she named him “one of the nicest, sweetest people you would ever want to meet.”
Their friendship was clearly very deep, so much so that it has trickled down to Billy Ray’s daughter, Miley.
Miley was born the year Achey Breaky Heart came out, and Billy Ray asked Dolly to be Miley’s godmother, which she accepted.
Since then, Dolly has shared her wisdom and even the stage with other members of the Cyrus family, mainly Miley.
Speaking to Entertainment Tonight about Dolly, she said: “She teaches people not to judge a book by its cover, or its huge boobs or its big hair.”
Miley even gave a speech about her “fairy godmother” at the MusiCares Person of the Year Award, which honoured Dolly in 2019.
The pair have shared the stage as well, with Dolly joining Miley to sing during the time in which Miley was a judge on The Voice.
And, once again, those feelings are mutual as Dolly revealed in an interview with Anderson Cooper in 2012.
Speaking about Miley, she said: “I don’t get to see her as often as I’d like but she’s a special gal and I hope she does great in this world.”