Miley Cyrus has long respected and idolized her godmother, Dolly Parton, for many reasons, but one important aspect to their relationship is the 78-year-old country superstar’s ability to have the “tough conversations.”

In the newly released episode of My Next Guest Needs No Introduction With David Letterman, Cyrus opened up about Parton’s influence on her life.

“She isn’t afraid to have the tough conversations,” the “Flowers” singer said of Parton.
Dolly Parton and Miley Cyrus perform onstage during the 61st Annual GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 10, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. – Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

When host Letterman asked for an example, Cyrus spoke about her hesitancy to perform at the 2024 GRAMMY Awards. The evening ended up being victorious for the former child star, but she hadn’t been sure she was going to do it at first.

“I told her, ‘I’m wondering if I’m going to do the GRAMMYs or not,'” Cyrus shared. “And she said, ‘Well, of course you’re gonna do the GRAMMYs. And you’re not just gonna show up but you’re gonna show off. And you’re gonna be everything that you are sitting right here in front of me.’ And she said, ‘And don’t forget about the beauty — the hair, the makeup, the whole show. You know, it’s armor for us.'”

Cyrus clarified Parton’s comment saying she wasn’t trying to have her follow in her steps.

“She wasn’t telling me to be Dolly,” Cyrus explained. “She wasn’t telling me to be fabulous, hide behind the sparkles and the hair. She was telling me to be me.”

Miley Cyrus performs on stage during the 66th annual GRAMMY Awards at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Feb. 4, 2024. – VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty Images
As for others in the industry, Cyrus admitted that she doesn’t maintain many friendships within show business.

“I am not very active, I would say or very a part of my community of other artists and entertainers and celebrities,” Cyrus said. “It just doesn’t feel like my people when I’m in that room. But there are certain artists, like Beyoncé… we’ve known each other for a long time.”

Cyrus is featured on Beyoncé’s new Cowboy Carter album on the song, “II Most Wanted.” Last week, Parton spoke with ET’s Rachel Smith about the idea of her, Cyrus and Bey all performing her song, “Jolene,” on stage.

“Well, that would be amazing, wouldn’t it? Well, it could happen. Never say never,” Parton teased to ET.