Miley Cyrus believes her late godmother, Dolly Parton, is still watching over her. During an emotional performance at the Hollywood Bowl, the singer revealed a supernatural experience that left her convinced the country music legend was by her side.

The 33-year-old artist shared the story on Sunday, October 18, during the second of her two special Los Angeles shows celebrating her new musical era. The concerts marked another milestone following the September 18 release of her 10th studio album, Bass Persuades.

Before performing Parton’s iconic song “Jolene,” Cyrus opened up about a moment she experienced while alone at home. She recalled that Parton had once given her a mannequin modeled after herself as a Christmas gift.

“I actually have a Dolly mannequin in my bedroom. She gave it to me for Christmas, and it’s dressed like her, it’s built like her,” Cyrus explained.

One day, Cyrus decided to play “Jolene” for the mannequin while recording a video on her phone. She lit a candle, placed a flower beside it and quietly asked Parton for a sign.

“Dolly, if you’re here right now, flicker the lights,” she recalled thinking.

According to Cyrus, the entire hallway began flickering shortly afterward. Her fiancé, Maxx Morando, was present and could confirm what happened, although he did not know what she had asked for at the time.

“I know she’s here with me tonight,” Cyrus told the audience. “I’m feeling some of the feelings that I’m most afraid of, but having her here with me is getting me through, and having you here with me is getting me through.”

She dedicated the performance to both her godmother and the fans who had come to support her.

“So no matter what it takes, this show is for you. And for Dolly,” she said.

A Tribute Filled With Tears and Love

Parton, who died on August 25 at the age of 80, remained a central presence throughout the emotional evening. During the show, Cyrus held a framed photograph of her godmother and encouraged the audience to sing along to “Used to Be Young.”

“Let my Aunt Dolly hear you,” she told the crowd.

The tribute followed another emotional performance on Friday, October 16, when Cyrus became tearful while honoring Parton with “Jolene” during the first Hollywood Bowl show.

But the evening was about more than remembering a beloved family member. Cyrus also addressed criticism surrounding her opening-night performance, defending her vulnerability and the effort it takes to step onto the stage in a new chapter of her career.

“I pride myself on being soft and strong at the same time,” she told the audience. “That’s something I love about me, is that I can be vulnerable.”

Cyrus pushed back against commentary suggesting she had not put her heart into the performance, emphasizing that longtime fans understood how seriously she approached meaningful moments in her life and career.

She also acknowledged that performing no longer came as naturally as it once had.

“I used to live my life pretty hard because life’s hard, so I thought that I had to get hard,” she explained. “But you know, I didn’t enjoy my life as much when I was living hard.”

For Cyrus, growing older has meant learning to embrace change rather than resist it.

“We change, we evolve, we grow,” she said.

Miley Opens Up About Fear and Finding Her Way Forward

The singer admitted that, before performing “Orbit,” she had considered not coming onstage at all.

“I was going to run away, but never would I leave you all sitting in these seats unfulfilled from a show,” she said.

Despite the pressure, Cyrus made it clear that her commitment to the audience had never been in question. She described the concert as a personal experience rather than an experiment, explaining that the fans made the night possible.

“I’m fully present,” she said. “Every bit of our fears, they live in the future, and I have no business even questioning that right now because the only thing that I have is this moment with all of you.”

She concluded the message by reassuring the crowd that she was completely invested in the performance.

“To make it clear, I am all here with you right now. Nowhere else I’d rather be.”

The night ended on a lighter note when Cyrus and Morando walked onstage hand in hand for an encore performance of “Let’s Get Married.” She also gave “Flowers” a playful lyrical twist, changing one line to celebrate having sold out the Hollywood Bowl twice.

A New Era for Miley Cyrus

The Hollywood Bowl shows represent a significant moment in Cyrus’ evolving relationship with her music and public identity. With Bass Persuades, she is embracing a simpler professional name, releasing the album under “Miley” rather than her full name.

Her father, Billy Ray Cyrus, publicly celebrated the decision, comparing her move to the legacies of music icons including Dolly Parton, Cher, Elvis Presley and Prince.

For Cyrus, however, this new era appears to be about more than reinvention. It is also an opportunity to be more open about her fears, her emotions and the people who continue to inspire her.

By sharing her experience with the flickering lights, she offered fans a deeply personal glimpse into her connection with Parton. And as she navigates the next stage of her career, Cyrus made one thing clear: the love of her godmother, and the support of her audience, remain powerful sources of strength.

Source: Compiled from various sources