Singer and Hannah Montana star Miley Cyrus took to social media to bid farewell to her real-life godmother, mentor and on-screen aunt, American music legend Dolly Parton.
On her social media page, Miley shared a heartfelt message remembering the special bond they shared throughout the years.
“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.
The “Flowers” singer then reflected on Dolly's influence on her life, saying that her godmother would want her to turn her grief into music and continue moving forward.
“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 added.
She ended her message by promising to continue carrying Dolly's memory with her.
“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,” she expressed.
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Dolly passed away after a brief battle with cancer at the age of 80. Her passing came days after she revealed her health struggles.
Dolly and Miley shared a close relationship long before they played aunt and niece on Hannah Montana. Miley's father, rocker Billy Ray Cyrus, asked Dolly to be his daughter's godmother while they were on tour together in 1990. Over the years, their relationship grew as Dolly became a mentor and a beloved figure in Miley's life.
The country music icon's influence on Miley extended beyond the set, with the two often sharing the stage and speaking about their relationship over the years.
During Hannah Montana’s 20th anniversary, Miley told Variety that Dolly's advice inspired her to push for an anniversary special even before the project officially existed.
“I learned this terrible habit — but I actually think it was good advice — from Dolly,” Miley said. “She told me that if you want something to happen, promote it before it exists. Then no one can say no. So I just started promoting a Hannah Montana 20th-anniversary special that literally did not exist.”
Dolly, for her part, expressed her support for the idea and her pride in Miley in a letter.
“When Miley told me she was doing [the anniversary special], I jumped up and down and thought what a brilliant idea. I am so proud of her. We all love Hannah Montana and we all love Miley so how can it miss? Congratulations girl. I love you, Aunt Dolly,” she said.
Following Dolly's death, numerous stars also shared their own tributes, including Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Sabrina Carpenter, Anne Hathaway, Cyndi Lauper, Billy Ray Cyrus, Gwen Stefani, Reba McEntire, Donatella Versace, Oprah Winfrey, as well as former U.S. President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama.