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Miley Cyrus cried as she spoke about her late godmother Dolly Parton during her concert at the Hollywood Bowl on Oct. 16.
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Cyrus performed “Jolene” to honor the country singer, who died on Aug 25.
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The show was Cyrus’ first concert in nearly four years.
Miley Cyrus will always love Dolly Parton.
The 33-year-old paid tribute to her late godmother during her show at the Hollywood Bowl on Friday, which was her first concert in nearly four years. Through tears, Cyrus remarked on the personal significance of the venue, as she explained that it was the only place she had seen Parton in concert.
“I only got to see Dolly Parton live in concert one time in my entire life and it was here,” she said onstage. “I spend a lot of time backstage and if she had it her way, when she was playing a show, I’d be standing right beside her in a matching costume. And so, when I was coming to the show at the Bowl to see her, I said, ‘You know, I would love a night where I could just experience you.'”
The “Bass Persuades” singer insisted on watching Parton from the crowd. Although Parton acquiesced, she then turned around and opened her show with “The Best of Both Worlds” to pay homage to Cyrus, informing the crowd that the Hannah Montana alum was seated alongside them.
Cyrus quipped that the move “defeated the entire purpose” of her decision to watch from the stands and drew an “obnoxious” amount of attention toward her. Still, she appreciates the love that Parton had for her.
“Like so many things Dolly did, that I didn’t understand it at the time, sitting here with you all right now, feeling her all around me, knowing that she’s right here beside me every day, all the time, more than she could be when she was here,” Cyrus said. “I feel her, now more than ever. Knowing that I get to share this story with you all, it makes that night very worth it. This memory is gold to me.”
Although she is still working through the grief of losing the “I Will Always Love You” singer, Cyrus shared that their bond persists.
“Me and Dolly, we are eternal. Nothing in this life could tear us apart,” she concluded. “And I’m gonna see her again. I can’t f—ing wait because I miss her. Some of the greatest music that we have today was written, produced, and performed by my Aunt Dolly.”
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The “Party in the USA” artist then launched into a rendition of “Jolene.”
Parton died at the age of 80 on Aug. 25 after a brief battle with cancer. In the days after her death, Cyrus paid tribute to the country legend on social media.
“The feeling of losing my Aunt Dolly is beyond what feels right to share,” Cyrus captioned an Instagram statement on Aug. 26. “Our most sacred moments were private and they’ll stay there behind the stage, beneath the glamour & between our hearts. What I KNOW is Dolly would want me to feel it, write a song about it, and then continue on and be strong. I have an angel by my side. I always have.”
Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly
