Miley Cyrus Tears Up Before Singing Jolene for Dolly Parton

Caption: Miley Cyrus performs at the Hollywood Bowl.

Miley Cyrus cried as she remembered Dolly Parton at the Hollywood Bowl, then honored her late godmother by singing “Jolene.” The October 16 performance took place at the same venue where Cyrus says she had once watched Parton from the audience.

That earlier night was the only time she saw Parton in concert, Cyrus told the crowd, according to ABC7’s account. She had asked for the chance to experience the show as a fan rather than join Parton onstage.

Parton had a different way of including her. According to Entertainment Weekly, she opened with “The Best of Both Worlds,” then told the audience that her goddaughter - the star of Hannah Montana - was sitting among them.

The announcement undid Cyrus’s attempt to watch quietly. Remembering it at her own show, she described the attention with affection and said the memory had become precious to her.

A familiar stage, a different kind of tribute

Parton died in August at 80. At the Bowl, Cyrus said the relationship still feels present in her life, even as she works through the loss.

“Me and Dolly, we are eternal,” she told the audience through tears, ABC7 reported. “Nothing in this life could tear us apart.”

The tribute came during Cyrus’s first major concert in nearly four years, PEOPLE reported. Her return followed a period of questioning how much of her life she wanted to devote to performing, a subject she discussed with fans during the show.

Parton’s encouragement had helped her through an earlier decision about taking a major stage. In a 2024 interview with David Letterman, Cyrus recalled wondering whether to perform at the Grammys. Parton urged her to do it and to bring her full personality to the performance, PEOPLE reported at the time.

Cyrus had written after Parton’s death that she would keep their most sacred moments private, ABC7 reported. At the Bowl, she chose this memory to share. “This memory is gold to me,” she told the crowd, according to EW.

References: Miley Cyrus honors Dolly Parton with emotional tribute at Hollywood Bowl | Miley Cyrus breaks down in tears while paying tribute to Dolly Parton at her Los Angeles concert: ‘I miss her’ | Miley Cyrus Says She Now Has ‘Everything’ She ‘Ever Wanted’ as She Returns to Stage at Hollywood Bowl with Surprise Guests | Miley Cyrus Recalls ‘Tough Conversation’ Where Dolly Parton Encouraged Her to Perform at 2024 Grammys