Noah Cyrus is paying tribute to sister Miley Cyrus’ godmother, Dolly Parton, after the country music icon’s death at age 80.
“I wanted the first words you heard to come from Miley, and now that she’s spoken, I’d like to share a few words about Dolly,” Noah, 26, wrote via Instagram on Thursday, August 27. “Dolly was singular, one of a kind. Dolly was a rainbow to our world for nearly six decades, and no one could ever come nor will ever come close to replacing her. Her impact on the world, and on me as an artist, is unparalleled. She was an angel among us who not only wrote songs that spoke to us all, but whose kindness, compassion, and empathy toward those who truly needed it were at the core of who Dolly was.”
Noah continued, “She never forgot where she came from, and she never stopped being her true self. She made it her duty to help others, not only through her music, but through her kindness and her commitment to helping those in need.”
Noah noted that Parton’s “beautiful relationship” with her family, “especially” with Miley, 33, is one that she will “be grateful for [her] entire life.”
“I am so grateful to her for inspiring me to be who I am, wear those wigs, have those long nails, to write my stories, and to heal people through music,” Noah wrote. “I am heartbroken she is gone, but only physically. she came into this world, shared her light, and changed it forever. She will now live in our hearts, and her music will continue to be a friend when lonely, and to celebrate with happiness. it will inspire and encourage young songwriters that will discover and learn from the Great Dolly Parton.”
Noah concluded, citing the music legend’s iconic lyrics from her hit song, “Dolly, you got your wings. We will ALWAYS love you. 🦋🦋🦋.”
Alongside the message, Noah shared a series of photos of Parton through the years, including a video singing a duet with Miley. In the clip, Miley became emotional as the duo sang “I Will Always Love You.”
News broke on Tuesday, August 25, that Parton died after a brief battle with an undisclosed form of cancer. Miley, for her part, spoke out about her godmother’s death in a sweet tribute alongside a black-and-white throwback photo of Parton on Wednesday, August 26.
“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,” Miley 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. 🦋.”
Miley 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.”
