Dolly Parton Reveals Miley Cyrus Convinced Disney to Write Her Into ‘Hannah Montana’
When Hannah Montana premiered back in 2006, perhaps nobody but Disney executives could have predicted how wildly popular it would become. The show, which centered around a young teen living a double life as a regular girl by day and a popstar by night, exploded Miley Cyrus into superstardom. Cyrus, of course, shared the screen with her real-life father, Billy Ray Cyrus; but that wasn’t the only famous family member that Miley shared scenes with. Dolly Parton also starred in several episodes of the hit show.
Hannah Montana fans will recall that Parton played herself on the hit show and was Miley Stewart’s godmother. She appeared in episodes from time to time to counsel the popstar about boys, fashion, and navigating life in the spotlight. But, Parton isn’t just Miley’s godmother on the show. The 9 to 5 actor also boasts the title of godmother in real life.
Dolly Parton reveals Miley Cyrus was behind her role on ‘Hannah Montana’
Naturally, Parton was extremely proud of her goddaughter for landing her first major role. In conversation with Vanity Fair, she recalled watching Miley’s career take off right before her very eyes. “Well, when Hannah Montana came on the air and little Miley Cyrus, my little goddaughter, was the star of it, I was so proud of her,” Parton revealed. “I thought she was sensational. I thought ‘What a great little comedian she is’ and what a great little actress and of course she’s a great singer. But she was so perfect in that spot.”
Parton was content to watch her goddaughter shine on television, but Miley desperately wanted the “Jolene” singer on the show. In fact, it was Miley who convinced the executives at Disney to let her godmother guest star in episodes of Hannah Montana. “And she told them that, you know, she said ‘I want my Aunt Dolly on here’ (she calls me Aunt Dolly) and she so she said ‘I want her on the show,'” Parton recalled. “So they wrote me in the show and we just worked so great together. And I was on a few times.”
Young children were introduced to the ‘Jolene’ singer thanks to the Disney Channel show
Not only did Parton enjoy the experience of working with Miley, but the show also managed to grow her fan base. “And thanks to her I had a whole new following of people that were turned on to me,” the “I Will Always Love You” singer shared. “These young little kids, you know, that were her fans and kids, uh kids, that were fans of just the whole show and the other little artists on the show.”
Parton was very proud of what Cyrus was able to accomplish at such a young age
Parton continued on to share how proud she is of the work Miley did on Hannah Montana and how proud she is of her goddaughter at present. “But here I am, you know, Miley’s fairy godmother and on the show and kind of sharing all that with her and I really loved the time that we spent with her doing the show,” the singer shared. “And, for me, watching her being such a pro she didn’t know it but I was watching her like a proud mama thinking ‘You go you little thing I’m so proud of you’ and I’ve always been proud of Miley she is so talented.”
It seems as if Parton is just as supportive of Miley in real-life as she was on-screen. Perhaps this means the famous pair may collaborate again in the future.
