Miley Cyrus and Dolly Parton: What Most People Get Wrong

You’ve seen the photos. The big hair, the sequins, that unmistakable Tennessee drawl meeting the raspy, rock-inflected growl of a modern pop star. People love to talk about Miley Cyrus and Dolly Parton like they’re just a cute PR stunt or a convenient family connection for the cameras. Honestly? It’s much weirder and deeper than that.

Most people know Dolly is Miley’s godmother. But did you know they’re actually blood relatives? Back in late 2024, Ancestry researchers dug up some records showing they are actually seventh cousins, once removed. They share a common ancestor named John Brickey, who lived in Virginia back in the 1740s. When Dolly found out, she wasn't even shocked. She basically said she already felt like they were family in her bones.

The Truth About the "Honorary" Godmother Label

There’s this weird misconception that the godmother thing was some official, religious ceremony. It wasn't. Billy Ray Cyrus and Dolly were touring together back in the early '90s when "Achy Breaky Heart" was exploding. Billy Ray just looked at her and said, "You have to be her godmother." Dolly accepted on the spot.

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She calls herself an "honorary" godmother, but she’s functioned like a "fairy godmother" for decades.

It’s not just about birthday cards.

When Miley was going through her Bangerz era—the tongue-wagging, wrecking ball-swinging, "murdering Hannah Montana" phase—the world was losing its mind. People were calling for her to be canceled before "canceling" was even a term. But Dolly? She didn't flinch. While parents were clutching their pearls, Dolly was telling reporters that people just didn't want the girl to grow up. She understood the need to burn down an old identity to build a new one. She’d done it herself, moving from the "girl singer" on The Porter Wagoner Show to a global mogul.

Why the Miley Cyrus and Dolly Parton Creative Spark Still Matters in 2026

If you think their collaboration peaked with a few Hannah Montana cameos, you haven't been paying attention lately. Just this week—January 16, 2026—Dolly released a massive charity rendition of her 1977 classic "Light of a Clear Blue Morning."

She didn't just bring in Miley. She brought in a powerhouse lineup including Reba McEntire, Queen Latifah, and Lainey Wilson. But Miley’s inclusion feels the most "full circle." Miley actually performed this same song on SNL back in 2021 as a Mother's Day tribute.

Recent Collaborations You Might Have Missed:

• "Light of a Clear Blue Morning" (2026): A multi-generational anthem for pediatric cancer research at Vanderbilt.
• "Wrecking Ball" (Rockstar Version): Dolly actually covered Miley’s song on her rock album, which Miley called a "bedazzled, studded leather" honor.
• "Rainbowland": A track often overlooked but deeply symbolic of their shared stance on LGBTQ+ inclusion. It actually got banned in a Wisconsin school district in 2023, which only made the bond between them tighter.

Dolly is turning 80 this month. 80! And yet, she’s still using Miley as her bridge to what’s happening in modern music. Miley, meanwhile, uses Dolly as a North Star for how to survive an industry that tries to chew up women and spit them out.

The "No Advice" Policy

Here is the thing that really trips people up. Dolly Parton famously refuses to give Miley "advice."

She has a very specific philosophy about it. She says she has "information," but she doesn't tell people how to live. She once told People magazine, "Who am I to tell Miley what to do?" She’d rather live as an example.

Miley actually shared the best thing Dolly ever told her during a screening for her visual album Something Beautiful. The quote was basically: "You do you, and I’ll do me. And together we’ll be us." It sounds simple. Kinda cheesy, maybe? But in an industry built on copy-pasting what’s popular, it’s actually radical. Dolly doesn’t want Miley to be a "Mini-Me." She wants her to be exactly who she is, even if that person is messy or controversial.

Breaking the "Country" Box

There’s a lot of talk about Miley returning to her country roots. And sure, she has the "Backyard Sessions" where her cover of "Jolene" has racked up hundreds of millions of views. But the Miley Cyrus and Dolly Parton connection isn't about forcing Miley back into a Stetson.

It’s about authenticity.

Dolly was the first one to tell her that you can wear the big hair and the short skirts and still be taken seriously as a songwriter. Remember when Chet Atkins told Dolly she’d never be a star if she didn't tone down her look? She ignored him. She told Miley to do the same. Trust your gut. Trust your heart.

They communicate in a way that feels totally outdated but deeply personal. Miley has joked that Dolly doesn't really "text." She faxes. Or she sends recorded voice messages. There’s something about that—not being "casual"—that has rubbed off on Miley. In an era of disposable digital content, their relationship feels like it's carved in Tennessee limestone.

What You Can Learn From This Duo

Watching them interact isn't just for celebrity gossip. There are actual takeaways here for how to handle a career or a mentorship.

1. Protect your "different" bits. Whatever people are telling you to tone down is usually the thing that makes you a star. Dolly didn't tone it down, and she’s a billionaire.
2. Find a "Fairy Godmother" who doesn't judge. You need someone in your life who has seen it all and doesn't get rattled when you make a mistake.
3. Collaboration over competition. They could easily be seen as competing for the "Queen of Nashville" energy, but they choose to lift each other up across genres.

If you want to dive deeper into their musical history, start with the Rockstar version of "Wrecking Ball." It’s the perfect bridge between Miley’s raw power and Dolly’s seasoned grace. From there, go back to the Younger Now album and listen to "Rainbowland" with a fresh set of ears. It’s not just a kids' song; it’s a manifesto.

Next time you see them together, remember it’s not just a godmother and her goddaughter. It’s two seventh-cousins who survived the Nashville machine by refusing to be anything other than themselves.

Actions to Take Now

• Listen to the 2026 "Light of a Clear Blue Morning" remake. All proceeds go to the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital, making your stream a direct donation.
• Watch the 2012 Backyard Sessions of "Jolene." It remains the gold standard for how to cover a legend without losing your own voice.
• Check out Dolly's book "Behind the Seams." It details the outfits and the "look" that Miley has spent her career deconstructing and reimagining.