Miley Cyrus and Dolly Parton performing together on stage
Celebrity

Are Miley Cyrus and Dolly Parton Actually Related? Inside Their Iconic Family Connection

While country queen Dolly Parton is famously Miley Cyrus's godmother, their family bond goes deeper than an honorary title.

By Dee AlvarezPublished Updated 2 min read

Pop music royalty runs deep, but few bonds in show business capture the public's imagination quite like the dynamic between Miley Cyrus and country icon Dolly Parton. Fans have long adored their close relationship, often hearing Miley fondly refer to the legendary singer as her aunt. However, public curiosity frequently resurfaces around whether their legendary connection is purely honorary or if genuine family lines tie these two music powerhouses together. While many assumed the legendary singer earned her title as Miley's honorary aunt simply through her longtime professional and personal friendship with Billy Ray Cyrus, reports clarify that the relationship goes beyond a casual nickname. Dolly is officially Miley's godmother, a spiritual role bestowed upon her when the superstar was born in the early 1990s. But beyond that title, family tree details reveal that the pair actually share genuine ancestral roots.

The photos · 3

Miley Cyrus and Dolly Parton performing together on stage
The dynamic duo performed a rendition of Dolly's hit single "Jolene" at the 2019 Grammy Awards.
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 08: Miley Cyrus (L) and Dolly Parton attend MusiCares Person of the Year honoring Dolly

More like this

Get the pop news brief

One daily email. The biggest celebrity, music and TV stories, no filler.

Reader reaction

No comments yet — be the first to weigh in.

People also ask

Is Dolly Parton Miley Cyrus's real aunt?
No, Dolly Parton is not Miley Cyrus's direct aunt by blood, though Miley affectionately calls her aunt. Dolly is her godmother and a distant blood relative through shared ancestry.
How did Dolly Parton become Miley Cyrus's godmother?
Dolly Parton became close friends with Billy Ray Cyrus in the 1990s, leading Miley's parents to choose Dolly as her godmother when Miley was born.