A tearful Miley Cyrus paid tribute to her late godmother, Dolly Parton, during her Hollywood Bowl concert Friday night.
Before performing Parton’s iconic hit “Jolene,” the Grammy winner reflected on one of her favorite memories with the country music legend at the famed Los Angeles venue. Cyrus told the crowd that the Hollywood Bowl was the only place she ever watched Parton perform live as a fan rather than joining her onstage, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
She recalled asking Parton if she could simply sit in the audience and enjoy the show “like the rest of the world has gotten to.” While the country star agreed, Cyrus joked that when her godmother said, “Okay, Miley,” it rarely meant what it sounded like.
Sure enough, Parton surprised her by opening the concert with “The Best of Both Worlds,” the theme song from “Hannah Montana,” before telling the audience that her famous goddaughter was secretly sitting in the crowd.
Looking back, Cyrus said the moment has become even more meaningful with time.
“Knowing that I get to share this story with you all, it makes that night very worth it,” Cyrus said on stage, per the outlet.
The singer then became emotional as she spoke about the bond she continues to feel with Parton, who died Aug. 25 at age 80 following a battle with cancer.
“Sitting here with you all right now, feeling her all around me, knowing that she’s right here beside me, every day, more than she could be when she was here; I feel her more now than ever,” Cyrus told the crowd. “Me and Dolly, we are eternal. Nothing in this life could ever tear us apart.”
As fans cheered in support, Cyrus fought back tears while remembering her godmother.
“I’m gonna see her again,” she said. “And I can’t f—ing wait because I miss her. Some of the greatest music that we have today was written, produced, performed by my Aunt Dolly.”
She then went into a heartfelt performance of “Jolene,” telling concertgoers that the beloved 1973 hit was one of the many songs that showcased Parton’s extraordinary talent as a songwriter and performer.
For Cyrus, singing “Jolene” at the particular venue was more than a performance. It was a tribute to “Aunt Dolly.”
