Aug. 25 continues to be a significant date for Miley Cyrus on a personal level.
Her longtime friend, mentor, collaborator and godmother Dolly Parton's death was revealed to the world on Tuesday, Aug. 25. The beloved Queen of Country died after a brief battle with cancer, which the public was not privy to, her representatives confirmed to USA TODAY.
The "Something Beautiful" singer has not yet publicly commented on Parton's death.
In a 2023 interview for ABC special "Endless Summer Vacation (Backyard Sessions)," the "Hannah Montana" alum explained why she decided to release her single "Used To Be Young," off the "Endless Summer Vacation" album, on Aug. 25, 2023.
"I decided to release 'Used To Be Young' on Aug. 25 because this particular date historically
has been important to me personally and in my career," she said.
Ten years prior, on Aug. 25, 2013, Cyrus cemented the date as an undeniable part of her legacy.
She performed "We Can't Stop" at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards, where she was heavily scrutinized for an explicit performance with Robin Thicke. Yet earlier that day, she released her first Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hit track, "Wrecking Ball." The video, depicting the singer swinging on a wrecking ball while nude, went viral and also caused Cyrus to be heavily criticized for what some said was sexually objectifying herself.
The following year, on Aug. 24, Cyrus won video of the year for "Wrecking Ball" at the VMAs. Cyrus did not attend, but had Jesse Helt, a young homeless man she met at the nonprofit My Friend's Place, accept the award on her behalf.
Still, Aug. 25 will forever be linked with the death of Parton, a longtime friend of her parents, Tish and Billy Ray Cyrus, who was also a distant cousin, once removed. The relationship was depicted on Cyrus' Disney Channel series "Hannah Montana," when the country legend appeared in a handful of episodes as Aunt Dolly, Miley Stewart's godmother.
"Is this the same girl who came to me and said, 'I want to be a singer?'" Dolly said of Miley in the Season 1 episode "Good Golly Miss Dolly." "And I said, 'Sweet Pea, the chances of that happening are one in a million.' And she said, 'I want to be that one!' Where's that girl?"
Cyrus would say it was Parton who inspired March's "Hannah Montana" 20th anniversary special."I learned this terrible habit – but I actually think it was good advice – from Dolly," Cyrus said in an interview with Variety. "She told me that if you want something to happen, promote it before it exists. Then no one can say no."
The pair have collaborated several times over the years, including several live duo performances of "Jolene," on Cyrus' 2017 song "Rainbowland" about LGBTQ+ acceptance and Parton's 2026 version of "Light of a Clear Blue Morning," a new version of the 1977 song featuring Cyrus with Lainey Wilson, Reba McEntire and Queen Latifah, released in honor of Parton's 80th birthday and benefiting cancer research.
In 2023, Parton enlisted Cyrus to cover "Wrecking Ball" for her rock album "Rockstar." The song has endured beyond its controversy as something of an empowerment anthem.
"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," Parton said. The pair had previously combined the song with Parton's "I Will Always Love You" during a highly praised New Year's Eve Party performance in 2022. "I'm very proud of it. My version, and hers, and ours."
Dolly Parton cancer revealed, funeral plans shared
The country icon had been battling cancer before her death, her representatives confirmed to USA TODAY on Aug. 25. "After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones," her representatives said in a statement.
A private memorial service will be held for immediate family, according to Parton's representative. Fans who would like to pay tribute are encouraged to tag @DollyParton on socials or leave a message at dollyparton.com. In lieu of flowers, the family asked for donations to Dolly Parton's Imagination Library at imaginationlibrary.com.
In a video message to fans, Bryan Seaver, Parton's nephew, said Parton requested to be laid to rest "in a beautiful bed of plush cotton, because after a life wearing heavy rhinestones, she finally deserves to be comfortable and have some rest."
"May God bless Dolly Parton, and may God bless you all. She will always love you," he added.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Miley Cyrus, Dolly Parton and why August 25 is so 'important' to her
