The Real Reason Dolly Parton And Billy Ray Cyrus Are So Close

Express notes Parton and Cyrus first met when he went out on tour with her, soon after the release of his smash hit "Achey Breaky Heart." Although there was nothing going on between them, Parton was savvy enough to know those kinds of salacious rumors sell records, telling her touring partner just that at the time. Looking back, Cyrus acknowledges, "I love Dolly. I probably wouldn't be doing what I'm doing without her," (via Closer). The two did eventually team up on a duet, "Romeo," which was a hit.

Parton, for her part, gushed about Cyrus, too, describing him to NBC as, "One of the nicest, sweetest people you would ever want to meet." She's so close with the Cyrus family that when Miley Cyrus was born, Parton was asked to be her godmother and graciously accepted. The two ladies subsequently became very close themselves; even performing a rendition of Parton's hit "Jolene" on The Voice in 2016 (via Billboard). Both Parton and the younger Cyrus have expressed admiration for each other publicly at various points, further accentuating the unbreakable bond between their families.