Miley Cyrus and Dolly Parton are some of the most prominent figures in pop culture, and the fact that Dolly is Miley's godmother is truly the gift that keeps giving. Case in point: Dolly's stint on Hannah Montana, Miley introducing Dolly's fan-favorite track "Jolene" to a whole new generation, and the pair joining forces to host a New Year's Eve special and perform "Wrecking Ball" in 2023. Oh, and of course, we can't forget that they both appeared on Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter earlier this year. TL;DR: Miley and Dolly are part of a legendary family—and aside from being an iconic godmother-goddaughter duo, they're actually related.
According to a new report from Ancestry.com, Miley and Dolly are seventh cousins, once removed, meaning their cowboy boots and southern roots go waaay back. Here's the breakdown: in the 1700s, Dolly's 6th great-grandfather and Miley's 7th great-grandfather, John Brickey, lived within a 20-mile radius from what we currently know and love as Dollywood in Tennessee's Smoky Mountains. Per the report, Brickey was born in Virginia and later moved to Blount County, Tennessee with his wife and children.
Dolly had the sweetest reaction to the news, telling Access Hollywood, "Is that true? That's amazing!" She joked, "Well, we're so close, Miley and I. I would've thought we'd at least be third cousins...ten times removed."
"I'm sure she'll get a kick out of that. It doesn't surprise me, because she does feel like family," Dolly said of her goddaughter—I mean, seventh cousin.
Earlier this year, Miley gushed about her connection with her godmother, telling W Magazine, "Dolly’s been like a mother to me." The "9 to 5" singer echoed her sentiment during an interview with the London Evening Standard, saying, "Miley became my goddaughter; I was her fairy godmother. We really have a true bond; she is like a daughter to me."
More like cousins, but they share a beautiful bond nonetheless. 🥹
