Miley Cyrus is looking back at her last conversation with godmother Dolly Parton before the country music icon’s death.
“I’m just trying to keep myself together, but the time that we talked, which was the last time we would talk, it was actually me telling her about this record because even though we are so different, that’s what made us so perfect for each other,” Cyrus, 33, during her Thursday, September 17, appearance on Apple Music’s The Zane Lowe Show, referencing her new album, Bass Persuades.
“She is known for, like, the fake, the hair, the makeup and the show of it. But there’s a part of her that I think is what everyone gravitates toward is how real she is and how authentic she is,” the “Flowers” singer continued. “And there was a time in my life, we hit on it with Hannah [Montana], so much of my life was about persona.”
Cyrus said she learned from Parton that she could “have a persona and still be who you are.”
“Sometimes I call what I do drag because the way that I present myself is just someone that is so different from the person that feeds the tortoise every morning,” she explained. “But again, that person’s inside of me. I just kind of have her off. One of the things we talked about was, in my performances, I always cry; I can’t help it. ‘End of the World,’ I start crying, and she watched me on Letterman and was like, ‘What are you crying about?’ [I was] like, ‘That song’s about the world ending and me never seeing my mom again.’”
Cyrus recalled, “That’s pretty much what she said. She was like, ‘Music is escapism. Let them cry. You need to get through it.’ And I was like, ‘I know, but this is who I am,’ and she loved me for it.”
Cyrus also noted that Parton was “always right” about things.
“It’s like how your mom’s always right, and when you’re a kid, you’re like, ‘What does she know?’” she said. “And then as you get older, you’re like … ‘How? Where did this come from? You’re just a normal person. Why do you know everything?’ Dolly was just always right about stuff.”
Parton died at age 80 on August 25 following a brief battle with cancer.
“Global icon and humanitarian, Dolly Parton, known to the world as a beloved singer, songwriter, philanthropist, actress, playwright and author died peacefully today in Nashville, Tennessee,” read a statement from Parton’s rep. “A rhinestone life that shone bright enough for the world to see, Dolly will forever stand as an inspiration not only through her timeless music and prolific songwriting, but also her wit, warmth and kindness that made us all feel like family.”
The statement continued: “Dolly Parton’s legacy is one of love, compassion and resilience. With a seven-decade career, she inspired multiple generations of artists and fans with her music and an unwavering commitment to making the world a better place. Her songs will continue to resonate with people of all ages, and her philanthropic work will have a lasting impact.”
Cyrus broke her silence on her godmother’s death the following day.
“The feeling of losing my Aunt Dolly is beyond what feels right to share. Our most sacred moments were private and they’ll stay there behind the stage, beneath the glamour & between our hearts,” she wrote via Instagram. “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. 🦋.”
Cyrus 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. 💖 @dollyparton.”
Bass Persuades is out Friday, September 18.
