Miley Cyrus’ Long-Standing Obsession With August 25 Takes a Somber Turn After the Death of Her Godmother
‘Music and metamorphosis.’
It is a strange and somber turn of events that Dolly Parton passed away on August 25, 2026, a date that has served as a recurring, pivotal anchor throughout the life and career of her goddaughter, Miley Cyrus. According to LADBible, the news of the Queen of Country’s death, which followed a brief battle with cancer, was confirmed in a video tribute by her nephew and head of security, Bryan Seaver.
For fans who have followed the complex timeline of Miley’s professional evolution, this date carries a weight that goes far beyond a simple calendar entry. Miley has been open about her relationship with this specific date for years. In a 2023 interview for her Endless Summer Vacation (Backyard Sessions) special that aired on ABC and Disney+, she explained why she intentionally chose to drop her single Used To Be Young on August 25.
She stated, “I decided to release Used To Be Young on August 25 because this particular date historically has been important to me personally and in my career.” This wasn’t just a random choice, as the date has woven itself into the fabric of her family history and her most transformative public moments.
The significance of the date begins with Miley’s father
Singer, songwriter, and actor best known for his 1992 hit Achy Breaky Heart and his role in Disney Channel’s Hannah Montana, Billy Ray Cyrus, was born on August 25, 1961. That personal connection seems to have set a precedent for the date appearing during major shifts in Miley’s trajectory.
One of the most notable examples occurred in 2013. On August 25 of that year, Miley released the track Wrecking Ball. It became a massive hit and her first number one on the US Billboard Charts, serving as the moment she truly shed her Disney Channel and Hannah Montana image to be taken seriously as a pop singer.
That same day in 2013, she took the stage at the VMAs for a performance alongside Robin Thicke that remains one of the most discussed moments of her career. Reflecting on that night in a 2018 interview with Wonderland magazine, she said, “Not only was culture changed, but my life and career were changed forever.” She noted that the intense public attention encouraged her to use her platform for something much bigger, including her advocacy for homeless teenagers in the US.
The song Wrecking Ball also left a lasting legacy, as it was later covered by Dolly Parton for her 2023 album Rockstar. According to Cosmopolitan, regarding that collaboration, Dolly said, “To involve Miley in my rock ’n’ roll album, I thought, well, I have to do ‘Wrecking Ball,’ because I love Miley and I love the song. I’m very proud of it. My version, and hers, and ours.”
It has also intersected with the more difficult chapters of Miley’s personal life
Around August 25, 2019, Liam Hemsworth filed for divorce from the singer, citing irreconcilable differences. This marked the end of their long, on-off relationship, which had started in 2009. That period of heartbreak eventually fueled the creation of her chart-topping hit Flowers, which stands as her most successful song to date and a multiple Grammy Award winner.
In light of Dolly’s passing, Miley turned to Instagram to share her grief and honor the woman who shaped so much of her life. She wrote, “The feeling of losing my Aunt Dolly is beyond what feels right to share. Our most sacred moments were private and they’ll stay there behind the stage, beneath the glamour & between our hearts.” She expressed a deep sense of connection to her godmother, noting that one of their last conversations centered on music and metamorphosis.
Miley’s message further reflected on how she plans to process this loss. “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,” she shared. She concluded by saying, “I will always love her and want to make her proud. My heart breaks for the world, her family and friends who will miss her deeply. We’re in this loss together and we will see her in all of the most beautiful things.”
The two had shared a special bond that extended to the stage, most recently performing a medley of Wrecking Ball and I Will Always Love You during Miley’s 2023 New Year’s Eve special. Now, the date that once signaled career milestones and personal transitions has become a permanent reminder of a profound loss.
(Featured image: Raph_PH)
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