Miley Cyrus has broken her silence on the death of her godmother and beloved country icon Dolly Parton in an emotional post on Instagram.
Alongside a black and white portrait of the singer, she explained that their most “sacred moments” will remain private.
Miley Cyrus and Dolly Parton attend MusiCares Person of the Year honoring Dolly Parton at Los Angeles Convention Center on February 8, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. Getty Images for NARAS
“The feeling of losing my Aunt Dolly is beyond what feels right to share,” the 33-year-old started the heartfelt post.
“Our most sacred moments were private and they’ll stay there behind the stage, beneath the glamour & between our hearts.”
Miley recalled one of their final conversations together in the touching tribute.
“What I KNOW is Dolly would want me to feel it, write a song about it, and then continue on and be strong. I have an angel by my side. I always have. One of our last conversations was about music and metamorphosis. 🦋,” the post continued.
“I will always love her and want to make her proud. My heart breaks for the world, her family and friends who will miss her deeply. We’re in this loss together and we will see her in all of the most beautiful things. 💖.”
Miley’s dad, Billy Ray Cyrus also shared a touching post for the Grammy winner, with her death at age 80 also falling on his birthday.
“I have so many moments and memories with Dolly, it’s hard to know where to start,” the fellow country star wrote.
“Like every little boy, I grew up loving Dolly Parton. She was a part of our lives, on our TV’s, right in our living rooms,” he wrote.
He recalled rumours of an “affair” that sold plenty of tabloids, which Parton just laughed off, and reassured him “that’s what sells records”.
“Dolly recently sent me a beautiful message, telling me she loved me with her whole heart. I will always love her in the same way … with my whole heart … and I always will,” the post finished.
Billy Ray Cyrus shared an emotional tribute to his close friend Dolly after her sudden death. Photo by Michael Kovac/Getty Images for NARAS
While working with Parton on tour in 1992, Billy Ray asked her to be the godmother of his daughter Miley. Who was born that November.
“When she was born, he said, ‘You just have to be her godmother,’ and I said, ‘I accept,’” Parton recalled during her appearance on Good Morning America in 2009.
Since her birth, Miley and Parton have had an incredibly close bond.
Parton and Miley performed together at the 61st Annual GRAMMY Awards in 2019. Getty
Both women have gushed over each other in interviews, collaborated on projects, performances and Parton even made appearances on the Hannah Montana show.
Miley affectionately referred to Parton as her “fairy god mother” on plenty of occasions. It was clear she absolutely adored her.
The Flowers singer once called her “the most loved person on the planet”.
“She’s left this big mark on the entire world, that all of us are just trying to fill her crystallized shoes, which is never going to happen,” Miley told Seth Meyers in 2021.
The Flowers singer once called her “the most loved person on the planet.” Pictured together on the set of Hannah Montana. Photo by Joel Warren/Disney Channel via Getty Images
Parton’s death was announced by Bryan Seaver, her nephew and longtime head of security on Tuesday August 25 (Wednesday morning AEST).
The Jolene hitmaker died at age 80 “after bravely facing a brief battle with cancer”, her family confirmed.
According toTMZ, her funeral will be hosted in Nashville, Tennessee, with “a small, private service for immediate family … in the coming days.”