Dolly Parton and Billy Ray Cyrus are two of the most famous and influential country music stars in the world. They have collaborated on songs, toured together, and supported each other’s careers for decades. But are they related by blood or by law? The answer is no, but they have a bond that goes beyond family ties. Here’s how their friendship started and evolved over the years.
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The Tour That Sparked Romance Rumors
According to Nicki Swift, Billy Ray Cyrus and Dolly Parton met in 1992, when Cyrus was a rising star with his hit song “Achy Breaky Heart”. Parton invited him to be her opening act on her tour, and they became friends. However, their friendship also sparked romance rumors, as some tabloids claimed that they were having an affair.
Cyrus was worried about how Parton would react to the rumors, but she was not bothered by them at all. She told him that “that s**t sells records” and advised him not to worry. She also joked that the rumors helped his debut album Some Gave All stay at No. 1 on the charts for several weeks.
The Song That Made Them “Romeo” and “Juliet”
In 1993, Parton and Cyrus released a duet called “Romeo”, which was part of Parton’s album Slow Dancing with the Moon. The song was a playful and flirty tune that featured Parton as Juliet and Cyrus as Romeo. The song also fed into the romance rumors, as some fans thought that they were expressing their true feelings for each other.
However, the song was just a fun collaboration between two friends who enjoyed making music together. Parton and Cyrus were both married at the time, and they never had any romantic involvement. Parton has been married to Carl Dean since 1966, and Cyrus has been married to Tish Cyrus since 1993.
The Godmother of Miley Cyrus
One of the reasons why some people think that Parton and Cyrus are related is because Parton is the godmother of Miley Cyrus, Billy Ray’s daughter. Miley was born in 1992, the same year that Parton and Cyrus met. Parton has been a mentor and a role model for Miley, who followed her father’s footsteps into the music industry.
Parton has also collaborated with Miley on several occasions, such as singing “Jolene” together on The Voice in 2016, and appearing on Miley’s Netflix show Black Mirror in 2019. Parton has also praised Miley for her talent and her courage to be herself. She told TODAY in 2020, “I’m so proud of her. She’s so smart, and she’s so talented.”
The Friendship That Lasts
Parton and Cyrus have remained close friends for almost 30 years. They have supported each other through ups and downs, and celebrated each other’s achievements. They have also continued to make music together, such as singing “Christmas Where We Are” on Parton’s album A Holly Dolly Christmas in 2020.
Parton and Cyrus have a friendship that is based on mutual respect, admiration, and love. They are not related by blood or by law, but they are family in their hearts. They are two country legends who have made an impact on each other’s lives, and on millions of fans around the world.
