There are very few musicians who are more well-known or more beloved than iconic country singer Dolly Parton. She shot onto the music scene when she was just 21 years old and has been on fire ever since. Over the years, Ms. Parton has taken her musical success and transformed that into a number of other successful businesses.
She has owned multiple production companies, created a baking line, and even opened her very own theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee — Dollywood.
Related: Dolly Parton Assures Dollywood Families Amid Disney’s Adult-Themed Expansion
What a lot of people may or may not know is that the queen of country is very close to another major name in the music industry — Disney Legend Miley Cyrus.
Long before Miley was born, Dolly was really great friends with “Achy Breaky Heart” crooner, Billy Ray Cyrus. When Miley was born, Billy Ray asked Dolly to be her godmother. That led to a long and close relationship, where the two women felt more like family, and Parton was so much more than a godmother.
Then, when Miley was cast in the lead role that would make her famous — Miley Stewart in Hannah Montana — Parton even joined in on the fun. Throughout the series, Ms. Parton would make guest appearances, playing Miley’s grandmother.
Related: Miley Cyrus Accused of Exploitation, Stealing From Fellow Grammy Winner
However, a recent investigation turned up some truly shocking information that will change everything the women thought they knew about each other.
Ms. Parton recently teamed up with the genealogy site Ancestry.com to find out more about her roots. And after extensive testing and research was done, it was revealed that Dolly Parton is so much more than just Miley Cyrus’s godmother. They are actually related by blood!
Parton recently learned that she and her pop star goddaughter are actually related during an Access Hollywood segment. With help from Ancestry, the country superstar learned that she and Cyrus are seventh cousins, once removed, connected by John Brickey of Virginia — Parton’s sixth great-grandfather and Cyrus’ seventh great-grandfather.
The “Jolene” singer was shocked and excited to learn that the young woman she loves so much is actually a part of her family tree.
“Is that true? That’s amazing! I’m sure she’ll get a kick out of that, but it doesn’t surprise me because she does feel like family.”
A Leaked Recording Fractures a Relationship
Sadly, Ms. Parton is not as close to Billy Ray Cyrus as she once was.
Earlier this summer, an audio recording of Mr. Cyrus was leaked to the media amid his ongoing divorce from his third wife, Australian singer Firerose (real name Johana Rose Hodges). In the recording, Cyrus can be heard screaming at his young wife, cursing her out, and calling her names.
Sadly, his anger then jumps to his ex-wife, and Miley’s mother, Tish Cyrus, and his daughter. He called them both names and can be heard calling Miley the “devil” and a “skank.”
Related: Disney Legend Miley Cyrus Makes Sad Claim About Her Father
Firerose has accused Billy Ray Cyrus of being extremely abusive throughout their seven-month-long marriage, and the audio appears to back up some of her claims.
According to reports, Billy Ray and Miley no longer speak. Their relationship fractured when Miley took her mother’s side in their divorce, but she now says that her father is “dead” to her. They said that she was not surprised to hear her father speak that way, but their relationship was ruined beyond repair, and she wanted nothing to do with him.
Dolly Parton is reportedly devastated at the way Billy Ray’s relationship with his daughter has been forever altered. A source who spoke to In Touch Weekly said that Dolly has spoken to Billy Ray and has begged him to get help for his issues and to “confront his demons.”
She also reportedly believes that Billy Ray needs to go to anger management and stop blaming everyone else for his problems.
Are you surprised that Dolly Parton and Miley Cyrus are actually related? Let us know in the comments!
