Miley Cyrus delivered an emotionally charged tribute to her late godmother, Dolly Parton, during a concert at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on Friday, October 16, 2026. The performance marked the opening night of Cyrus’ two-show engagement at the historic venue, with the singer breaking down in tears while performing Parton’s signature 1973 hit song, “Jolene.”
Before launching into the song, Cyrus shared a deeply personal memory with the audience regarding the only time she attended a Parton concert as a regular member of the audience at the Hollywood Bowl. The Grammy-winning artist recalled asking her “Aunt Dolly” if she could simply experience a show from the crowd for once, without standing backstage or performing alongside her.
According to Cyrus, Parton playfully agreed to the request, though it did not go quite as planned. Instead of letting her goddaughter watch anonymously, Parton opened the concert with “The Best of Both Worlds”-the theme song from Cyrus’ Disney Channel series Hannah Montana. Parton then proudly announced to the entire stadium that her goddaughter was sitting in the audience.
“Dolly enters, but I hear ‘The Best of Both Worlds.’ Yeah, Dolly opened performing Hannah Montana,” Cyrus told the cheering crowd through tears. “She goes, like a proud aunt, ‘I don’t know if y’all know this, but my goddaughter is Hannah Montana, and she’s actually here tonight, but she’s sitting out in her seat… absolutely no one was aware that I was at the concert until she drew an obnoxious amount of attention to it.'”
A Lifelong Bond and Musical Legacy
Reflecting on the memory now, Cyrus noted that while she did not always understand Parton’s playful antics at the time, those moments have become invaluable gold to her following the country music icon’s death. Parton passed away on August 25, 2026, at the age of 80 following a brief battle with cancer.
Throughout the Friday night concert, Cyrus made sure Parton’s presence remained front and center. Along with projecting a photograph of the country music legend as the opening notes of “Jolene” began, Cyrus clutched a heart-shaped frame containing a picture of Parton during a moving performance of “Wrecking Ball,” noting it was one of her godmother’s favorite songs.
“Me and Dolly, we are eternal. Nothing in this life could ever tear us apart, and I’m gonna see her again,” Cyrus said to the audience, fighting back tears. “And I can’t f*****g wait because I miss her. Some of the greatest music that we have today was written, produced, performed by my Aunt Dolly, and this is one of those songs.”
Dolly Parton’s Enduring Influence on Miley Cyrus
Dolly Parton was far more than a musical inspiration to Cyrus; she was a steadfast familial and professional guide throughout her life. Parton famously appeared as “Aunt Dogpatch” / Aunt Dolly on Hannah Montana, bridging generations of family entertainment and country music royalty. Their public bond continued through decades of shared appearances, including a standout joint performance of “Jolene” at the 2019 Grammy Awards.
Following Parton’s passing in August, Cyrus penned an emotional tribute on Instagram, writing that the feeling of losing her Aunt Dolly was “beyond what feels right to share” and noting that she felt she had an angel by her side.
Cyrus wrapped up her emotional speech at the Hollywood Bowl by emphasizing that she feels Parton’s presence closer now than ever before. Her second and final performance of the Hollywood Bowl engagement took place on Sunday, continuing a weekend dedicated to celebrating the life, memory, and musical catalog of one of country music’s most beloved icons.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Miley Cyrus perform her tearful tribute to Dolly Parton?
Miley Cyrus performed her emotional tribute to Dolly Parton on Friday, October 16, 2026, during the opening night of her two-show engagement at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.
What song did Miley Cyrus sing to honor Dolly Parton?
Cyrus performed a tearful cover of Dolly Parton’s signature 1973 classic hit song, “Jolene.” She also clutched a heart-shaped frame containing a photograph of Parton during a performance of “Wrecking Ball.”
What funny story did Miley share about attending a Dolly Parton concert?
Cyrus recalled asking Parton if she could sit in the audience as a regular fan for once. Instead of letting her remain unnoticed, Parton opened her show with the Hannah Montana theme song, “The Best of Both Worlds,” and proudly announced to the entire crowd that her goddaughter was sitting in the audience.
When did Dolly Parton pass away?
Dolly Parton passed away on August 25, 2026, at the age of 80 following a brief battle with cancer.
What special item did Miley hold on stage during her Hollywood Bowl show?
During her performance of “Wrecking Ball,” Cyrus held a heart-shaped picture frame containing a photograph of Dolly Parton, explaining to the crowd that it was one of her godmother’s favorite songs.
