Miley Cyrus Addresses Dolly Parton’s Health Struggles

Dolly Parton‘s goddaughter, Miley Cyrus, just gave fans an early Christmas present by dropping a positive update about the country music icon.

The “Jolene” hitmaker sparked concerns about her well-being following the postponement of her highly anticipated Las Vegas residency. The singer’s sister later added fuel to the fire by asking for prayers.

More fans were convinced something was wrong behind the scenes when Dolly Parton skipped two important events; however, she dispelled their fears with a heartwarming Thanksgiving video. Now, her goddaughter is echoing similar sentiments about her improved health.

While attending the Los Angeles premiere of James Cameron’s latest movie, “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” Miley paused on the red carpet for an interview. When asked about her godmother’s health, the singer declared there was nothing to worry about.

“She’s always gonna keep the show going. The show must go on. She’s just excited to get back to work,” Miley told Entertainment Tonight. The Disney alum’s words held weight as one of the people closest to Parton, a relationship that began long before she was born.

Parton became Miley’s godmother thanks to the years-long bond she had with Billy Ray Cyrus. Their relationship reportedly began in the early 1990s when the latter served as the opening act for the country music icon when she was on tour, per Woman’s World.

Parton and Miley have one of the sweetest relationships in the music industry, as they frequently support each other. In a 2009 interview, the Queen of Country reflected on their enduring bond, saying:

“I’m so proud of her, love her. And she’s just like one of my own.”

Parton has also credited Miley for introducing her to a new generation of fans after the latter invited her to star on an episode of her hit Disney series, “Hannah Montana,” as her Aunt Dolly. In an interview, Parton claimed the gesture touched her the most out of all their other heartfelt moments.

A month before Miley’s positive update on Parton’s health, The Blast shared that sources claimed the country singer’s pals were concerned about her well-being. They reportedly feared that she was pushing herself too hard amid her recovery.

“She refuses to rest,” a longtime pal alleged. They argued that Parton worked from morning until midnight, doing more than people half her age would dare to try. Another close associate echoed similar sentiments, fearing Parton would eventually “burn out.”

These insiders agreed that Parton was working too hard with little to no rest and hoped she wouldn’t harm herself with her busy schedule. One source claimed Parton was still recovering; however, she was moving too fast to notice her body’s condition.

The concerns for Parton’s health increased days later after she skipped two important events. The Blast covered the story, reporting that she did not make a physical appearance at the Governors Awards in November, where she was awarded the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.

Parton accepted the award virtually, appearing onscreen in a video. She did the same thing during the IAAPA Hall of Fame ceremony that celebrated her Dollywood theme park. In the video showrunners shared, Parton told the crowd that doctors had advised her to rest.

Although she addressed the situation with a radiant smile, many were worried since Parton had missed two key events following the postponement of her Las Vegas residency. However, she dispelled fans’ concerns in a Thanksgiving video days later, reassuring them not to worry.