Miley Cyrus breaks down in tears during emotional Dolly Parton tribute as she returns to the stage
Miley Cyrus paused her latest concert to issue a tearful tribute to her godmother, Dolly Parton, and recounted an unexpected spiritual experience.
The 33-year-old was performing at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on Sunday (18 October) when she got emotional, in a video captured by Entertainment Weekly.
Cyrus clutched a heart-shaped frame containing a photo of the late country singer, who died in August aged 80 following a battle with cancer, and recalled an unusual moment she experienced after a recent show.
Speaking to the crowd at the sold-out gig, she explained: “I actually have a Dolly mannequin in my bedroom. She gave it to me for Christmas. It’s dressed like her; it’s built like her.
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“When I was by myself, I actually took my phone, and I played ‘Jolene’ for her on video, holding it up to the mannequin, and lit a candle. I put a flower down for her.”
Cyrus revealed that she attempted to communicate with her late godmother in her mind, as she recalled: “I said, ‘Dolly, if you’re here right now, flicker the lights.’”
The singer explained that while she ‘didn’t say anything out loud,’ the ‘entire hallway started flickering’ shortly afterwards.
The singer also reportedly nodded toward one of her collaborators on stage, and said they could ‘vouch’ for her version of events, adding: “He was there, but he didn’t know what I said. So, I know she’s here with me tonight.”
Cyrus went on to admit she’s ‘feeling some of the feelings that I’m most afraid of, and having her here with me is getting me through,’ before dedicating the show to Parton and to her fans.
She tearfully concluded: “No matter what it takes, this show is for you and for Dolly.”
Parton had a close bond with Cyrus throughout her life, after befriending her father Billy Ray in the early 1990s, and eventually becoming his eldest daughter’s godmother.
Ever since then, the duo has famously had a close friendship, with Parton supporting and mentoring the singer throughout her career and even guest-starring on Hannah Montana.
Cyrus, who recently dropped her surname professionally and released her new album Bass Persuades, paid tribute to Dolly on Instagram following her death with a heartbreaking statement.
She wrote: “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.
“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.
“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.”
Cyrus also told Apple Music’s Zane Lowe that while her godmother was known for ‘the faux, the fake, the hair, the makeup, the show of it, there’s a part of her that’s just what I think everyone gravitates toward - how real she is and how authentic she is’.
She tear-jerkingly recalled: “There was a time in my life - we hit on it with Hannah - so much of my life was about persona. And I think a way that I could look at that as you can have a persona and still be who you are is because of Dolly.”
Topics: Miley Cyrus, Entertainment, Celebrity, Music
Madison Burgess