Fans Think Miley Cyrus Takes After Godmother Dolly Parton In Specific Ways

There are many similarities between Dolly Parton and her Goddaughter Miley Cyrus, not all of them immediately obvious.

By now, most fans know about the connection between two of America’s most famous singers. When Dolly Parton, queen of Country music, appeared on the tween Disney series Hannah Montana in 2006, they were excited to learn that she was Miley’s Godmother.

And fans say it’s amazing just how similar Dolly and Miley are.

Like many other singers, Miley’s dad Billy Ray Cyrus had a helping hand from Dolly early on in his music career. Soon after his hit song ‘Achy Breaky Heart‘ was released, Dolly included him as the opening act on one of her tours.

In fact, the singers got on so well, that at one time they were rumored to be in a relationship. Billy Ray went on to star as the male lead in the music video for Parton’s song “Romeo.”

Their friendship continued over the years, and when Billy’s baby daughter was born, he asked Dolly to be her godmother.

Miley & Dolly Have Worked Together On A Number Of Occasions

Apart from the episodes on Hannah Montana, they’ve joined forces a number of times. When Miley Cyrus was 17 years old, she teamed up with her Godmother in a duet of her 1973 hit “Jolene”.

Fans went wild when the duo sang the number, which has been named one of the top 10 Country songs of all time, as part of the celebrations for the 25th anniversary of the Dollywood theme park. The pair reprised their performance when they teamed up to sing the song on The Voice in 2016. Miley has gone on to add it to her repertoire.

The pair also worked together in 2020, when Parton asked Cyrus to join her for a song on her A Holly Dolly Christmas album.

Fans Say Miley And Dolly Have Physical Similarities

When pics from Miley’s Forbes 30 Under 30 shoot were posted, fans were struck by the physical similarities to Dolly.

Plus, Dolly Parton is known for being a great humanitarian, and it seems she’s inspired the same trait in her Goddaughter. Miley founded the Happy Hippie Foundation, which focuses on youth homelessness, the LGBTQ community, and other vulnerable populations. She also supports organizations like Amnesty International, amfAR, and The Elton John AIDS Foundation, among others.

While the Wrecking Ball singer still has a way to go to reach the number of philanthropic outreaches her Godmother has been involved in, she’s certainly made a good start.

Both Started Performing At A Young Age

Yet another similarity between the two is the start of their careers. Both singers have been in the entertainment industry for most of their lives.

Dolly started performing professionally at the age of 10, appearing on local television and radio shows in Knoxville. Three years later, she made her Grand Ole Opry debut.

Although she was 12 when Disney’s Hannah Montana catapulted her into worldwide fame, Miley’s acting debut in an episode of her father’s television series Doc two years earlier at the age of 11. The same year, she also had a small role in Tim Burton’s Big Fish.

There’s Even A Link Between Dolly And Hannah Montana

Even in her breakthrough character of Hanna Montana another similarity between Miley and her Godmother pops up: In the series about an average teenage girl who has a secret life as a famous pop singer, the Disney star wore a wig to differentiate the two characters. Miley Stewart became Hannah Montana when she put on the blonde rock star tresses over her brunette hair.

While Miley gladly ditched her wigs as part of her transformation from the Disney character, Dolly Parton loves wearing wigs. And apparently, she has so many, she could wear a different one every day of the year.

Both Dolly Parton and Hannah Montana wigs became top sellers for a time.

There Are Also Many Differences Between The Two

One area where the stars are not similar is in their love lives. Parton married her husband Carl Dean when she was just 20, and he was 23. Today, they are still going strong, after more than 5 decades together.

Miley hasn’t been as lucky in love. Her on-again-off-again relationship with Liam Hemsworth constantly hits the headlines, and fans accused The Climb singer of playing with her ex-husband’s feelings.

Conversely, when she’s not on stage, Dolly is happy to stay out of the spotlight. She’s happy to stay home reading, and spending time with her husband Carl Dean, and has always made sure their lives are private; Dolly and her husband are rarely seen together.

In contrast, since leaving Hannah Montana behind, Miley has been the subject of countless headlines and controversial moments. From being criticized for rumored drug use to what some call her ridiculous tattoos and tensions with dad Billy Ray, who came to hate the Hannah Montana series, she’s attracted constant attention.

Miley Shocked Her Godmother

Dolly has admitted she has sometimes been shocked at Miley’s transformation, but also that she completely understands why her fairy Goddaughter did what she did.

“She was very proud of the work she did as Hannah Montana, but people were gonna leave her there forever, “ the Country star told People “And she was just smotherin’ and chokin’ in it. So she felt she had to do something completely drastic. And she did.”

Perhaps it’s fitting that the only song on Miley’s 2017 album Younger Now not completely her own was a track she co-wrote with Dolly.