Miley Cyrus reveals last conversation with Dolly Parton before country music icon's death

Miley Cyrus has revealed her final conversation with her late godmother Dolly Parton.

The country music icon died on August 25 after a "brief battle with cancer" at the age of 80.

Speaking to Apple Music’s Zane Lowe, 53, Miley said: "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 is that she knew this, and I know this."

The Flowers hitmaker thinks Dolly's authenticity is what drew people to her.

Miley, 33, continued: "She’s known for, I guess, the faux, the fake, the hair, the makeup, the show of it, but there’s a part of her that’s just what I think everyone gravitates toward - how real she is and how authentic she is.

"And there was a time in my life, I mean, we hit on it with Hannah [Montana], so much of my life’s about persona."

The three-time Grammy winner credited the Jolene legend with helping her navigate life as Hannah Montana in the Disney Channel sitcom, in which Dolly played Aunt Dolly, the fictional godmother of Miley Stewart, mirroring their real-life relationship.

Miley said: "I think a way that I could look at that as, you can still have a persona and still be who you are, is because I had Dolly."

She added: "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. But again, that person’s inside of me - I just kind of have her off."

The Wrecking Ball artist recalled telling Dolly that she "always" cries when performing live and the 9 to 5 chart topper encouraging her to embrace her emotional side.

Referring to her performance of End of the World on My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman, Miley remembered: "I start crying, and she watched me on Letterman and was like, 'What are you crying about?'

"I was like, 'That song is about the world ending and me never seeing my mom again.'

"She was like, 'Music is escapism. Let them cry. Get through it.' I was like, 'I know, but this is who I am,' and she loved me for it."

The Bass Persuades artist also became emotional when she and Dolly co-hosted NBC's Miley’s New Year’s Eve Party in 2023.