Why Dolly Parton Doesn't Give Goddaughter Miley Cyrus Advice

Dolly Parton is opening up about her bond with Miley Cyrus.

During a new interview with Us Weekly, the "Jolene" songstress said that she is "proud" to be an inspiration to the new generation of female musicians. However, Parton shared that she usually doesn't give other singers advice, including her goddaughter.

"I don't give advice, but I got a lot of information. Same with Miley," Parton told the outlet Wednesday while promoting her Dolly Parton x Duncan Hines line launching in March. "Everybody says, 'Do you give Miley advice?' I said, 'Nobody gives Miley advice.' She's [as] headstrong as I am, but we both respect each other. And we share things."

Although she doesn't give the "Wrecking Ball" hitmaker advice, Parton — who was named Cyrus' godmother because of her close friendship with Miley's father, Billy Ray Cyrus — said they talk when it seems fitting because she wants to "stay involved."

"If I feel like I've got something to say to her, like, a mother or an aunt or a godmother, I will say something. Or [I will] ask her a question about this or that or ask her a question even concerning my own career," Parton explained. "[Because] I wanna stay involved and important in the business for as long as I live. And I've been lucky enough that that's happened."

Cyrus and Parton collaborated on the 2017 song "Rainbowland." They also worked together on episodes of "Hannah Montana."

Aside from influencing Cyrus' music, several female vocalists consider the country legend among their inspirations — an accolade Parton doesn't take lightly.

"It makes me feel proud. Makes me feel good to know that I've been an inspiration," the "There Was Jesus" singer said. "And when I hear a lot of these young people — that I think are better than I ever thought about being — [and] they say that I'm their hero or that they've learned so much from me. Well, it makes me feel good that I can be there to help guide a few young people."

In November 2020, Parton looked back at her legendary music career when she appeared on Apple TV+'s "The Oprah Conversation." She attributed her success to her lack of children because it gave her the freedom to work.

"Since I had no kids, and my husband was pretty independent, I had freedom," said the Tennessee native, who has been married to Carl Thomas Dean since 1966. "So I think a big part of my whole success is the fact that I was free to work."

In addition to music, Parton is currently busy with her collaboration with Duncan Hines: a line that includes cake mixes and frostings that are inspired by her southern roots. The baking collection kits, which launched Wednesday, are currently sold out, but the singer said more things are coming down the line with the baking company.