If you missed country queen Dolly Parton's epic tribute performance [1] during the 2019 Grammys, during which she sang all of the best jams from the incredible Dumplin' [2] soundtrack, then you better watch it before you feel left out. Along with a whole host of special guests — including Katy Perry [3], Little Big Town, Maren Morris, and Kacey Musgraves — Dolly was joined by Miley Cyrus [4], who — if it wasn't already clear — shares a pretty special relationship with the country queen.
Just the week before, Miley teamed up with Shawn Mendes [5] for the MusiCares Person of the Year gala (which was held in honour of Dolly this year) to sing Dolly Parton and Kenny Roger's 1983 song "Islands in the Stream." Before the event Miley even posted a sweet photo [6] of her and Dolly on Instagram with the caption, "It's YOUR night Aunt @dollyparton! Beyond deserved!" So the question begs: Are the two actually related?
As close as the two are (and as similar as they might sound at times [7]!), Dolly is actually Miley's godmother, not a blood relation. We totally understand the confusion, though — Dolly even made a few cameo appearances playing Miley's godmother on Disney's Hannah Montana, though she was referred to as "Aunt Dolly" then, too. Her relationship with Miley stems from a long-lasting friendship with the pop star's dad, fellow musician Billy Ray Cyrus, and just as Miley always supports the music legend, Dolly always has her goddaughter's back in turn.
When Miley faced criticism for her provocative outfits and performances back in 2013, Dolly said Miley was smarter than people believed and needed a chance to find her own way [8], just as Dolly herself had. "She's just trying to find her own place and wings and learn to fly," she told Evening Standard. We'd say that everything turned out just fine, so perhaps godmother does know best. Check out the gallery for pictures of the two talented ladies over the years.
2006
Dolly Parton first joined Miley Cyrus [10] on Hannah Montana in the season one episode "Good Golly, Miss Dolly," where she played Miley Stewart's Aunt Dolly visiting from out of town.
2010
Dolly made another Hannah Montana cameo in the season four episode "Kiss It Goodbye."
2010
"Kiss It Goodbye" was the last appearance Dolly made on the show, though she also appeared in the season two episode "I Will Always Loathe You."
2010
In 2010, for the 25th anniversary of Dolly's Pigeon Forge, TN, theme park, Dollywood, she teamed up with the Hallmark Channel for an insane concert event, where Miley, her father, Billy Ray Cyrus, and Kenny Rogers all joined her for performances.
2019
Miley posed alongside Dolly during the Recording Academy's 2019 MusiCares Person of the Year award ceremony, in which Dolly Parton was honoured for her artistic achievement in the music industry, as well as her dedication to philanthropy.
2019
Miley and Dolly were also joined by singer-songwriter Linda Perry on the red carpet outside the Los Angeles Convention Centre, where the ceremony was held.
2019
The duo performed onstage together during the 61st Annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles, singing Dolly's hit "Jolene."
2019
The two were later joined by country music singer Maren Morris, who helped them perform a cover of Neil Young's "After the Gold Rush."
2019
Dolly and Miley also shared this super sweet moment onstage after their performance together.
2019
At the end of the performance, Dolly was joined by everyone who performed, including — from left to right — Maren Morris, Katy Perry [11], Jimi Westbrook, Kimberly Schlapman, Karen Fairchild, Philip Sweet, Miley Cyrus [12], and Kacey Musgraves.