Dolly Parton Once Compared Her Goddaughter Miley Cyrus to Elvis
Though Dolly Parton doesn’t have any kids of her own, she has quite literally watched Miley Cyrus grow up. Of course, much of the world has watched the Plastic Hearts artist grow up also. Though she is known for her music these days, Cyrus started her career on the hit Disney Channel show, Hannah Montana when she was only 13 years old. The show quickly made her a household name and she’s been in the spotlight ever since. But, Parton knew Cyrus long before she reached celebrity status.
Fans of Hannah Montana will recall that Parton starred as herself in three episodes of the show and portrayed Miley Stewart’s Aunt Dolly. But while she may have played Cyrus’ aunt on TV, in real life the “9 to 5” singer is Cyrus’ godmother. Back in 2009, Parton was on Good Morning America and she revealed that even though she never did an official ceremony, she is considered to be the “Malibu” singer’s godmother.
What kind of relationship do Miley Cyrus and Dolly Parton have?
“I’ve known her since she was a baby,” Parton shared about Cyrus. “Her father’s a friend of mine, and when she was born, he said, ‘You just have to be her godmother,’ and I said, ‘I accept.’ We never did do a big ceremony, but I’m so proud of her, love her and she’s just like one of my own.”
And it seems that the love fest works both ways. Cyrus has always been one of Parton’s biggest champions. In fact, it was Cyrus who actually campaigned for Parton to appear on her show. Though she was young at the time, Cyrus went to the Hannah Montana writers and asked them to write a role for the “I Will Always Love You” singer. These days, Cyrus credits Parton for things like “making country music sexy” and being an overall icon.
The ‘Jolene’ singer once compared the ‘Plastic Hearts’ singer to Elvis
But Parton once gave Cyrus one of the biggest compliments she’s ever received. Back in 2008, Parton gave an interview with AOL music where she compared Cyrus to the late musical giant, Elvis Presley. “That little Miley Cyrus … she’s like a little Elvis,” Parton revealed “The kids love her because she’s Hannah Montana, but what people don’t realize about her is she is such a fantastic singer and songwriter. She writes songs like she’s 40 years old! She’s really deep.”
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Parton also predicted where she saw Cyrus’ music career going following her stint on Hannah Montana. “And I think that she’s gonna have a big career after that show is off the air,” Parton continued. “I know I’m partial, because she’s my goddaughter. But I’m amazed at the talent that child has and the effect she has on people.”
It seems that Parton was right about Cyrus potential. Today, she has millions of fans and is well-known as a solo artist. Only time will tell if she’ll have an Elvis level impact that her godmother predicted.
