Miley Cyrus was seen publicly for the first time since the death of her godmother, country music icon Dolly Parton, who passed away at the age of 80 last week. Cyrus, 33, appeared downcast during a lunch outing in Los Angeles on Tuesday with her boyfriend, musician Maxx Morando, 27.
Parton had a lifelong bond with Cyrus, serving as both a personal and professional guide. Following Parton's death, Cyrus shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram. "The feeling of losing my Aunt Dolly is beyond what feels right to share," she wrote. "Our most sacred moments were private and they’ll stay there behind the stage, beneath the glamour & between our hearts."
Cyrus expressed that Parton would want her to process the grief through music and to remain strong. "I have an angel by my side. I always have. One of our last conversations was about music and metamorphosis," Cyrus wrote. "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."
Parton became Cyrus's godmother shortly after her birth, as her father, Billy Ray Cyrus, was a friend of the country star. "I've known her since she was a baby," Parton said in 2009. "Her father's a friend of mine, and when she was born, he said, 'You just have to be her godmother,' and I said, 'I accept.' We never did do a big ceremony, but I'm so proud of her, love her. And she's just like one of my own."
Parton had confidence in Cyrus's future from an early age, even guest-starring on Cyrus's Disney Channel series Hannah Montana in 2006. Parton praised Cyrus's singing and songwriting abilities in a 2008 interview, noting, "She writes songs like she's 40 years old! She's really deep."
Cyrus has often spoken about the career and life advice Parton offered, including a strategy of promoting projects before they are finalized. "She told me that if you want something to happen, promote it before it exists. Then no one can say no," Cyrus said in a March interview. This advice was a factor in her approach to a 20th-anniversary concert special for Hannah Montana.
The two artists collaborated on several music projects, including Parton's 2023 rock album Rockstar, where she covered Cyrus's 2013 hit "Wrecking Ball." Parton also collaborated with Cyrus on her 2017 track "Rainbowland." Cyrus, in turn, covered Parton's 1973 classic "Jolene" during a 2012 performance that gained significant attention. They also performed "Jolene" together on multiple occasions, including a 2010 Hallmark special, an appearance on The Voice in 2016, and at the 2019 Grammy Awards.
Parton died after being admitted to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville with autoimmune and kidney problems. Her cause of death was confirmed as a brief battle with cancer. Her nephew, Bryan Seaver, confirmed her passing in an Instagram video, stating that Parton had "lived in the light" and was now "in the arms of Jesus."