“Always Be Your Best, Baby”: The Dolly Parton Advice That Sparked Miley Cyrus’s 14-Year Journey Toward Self-Discovery
OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
Pop icon Miley Cyrus has never shied away from confronting identity, individuality, and authenticity in her music and public life. But the artist recently revealed that her 14-year journey toward understanding her gender identity was sparked by a heartfelt, formative conversation with her godmother—none other than Dolly Parton.
The story, both intimate and inspiring, traces back to Cyrus’s teenage years. Then a global sensation through her Hannah Montana fame, Cyrus found herself questioning how she fit into the world’s expectations of gender and identity. That uncertainty led her to ask her godmother a simple, yet deeply personal question—one that would shape her understanding of herself for more than a decade.
The Question That Changed Everything
Cyrus recalled asking Parton, her mentor and role model, a difficult question about self-identity and how to remain true to oneself amid fame and judgment. In response, Parton offered advice that would become a guiding mantra:
“Always be your best, baby.”
Those words, seemingly lighthearted, became the foundation for Cyrus’s journey of self-exploration. She later said that the moment “haunted” her—in the best sense of the word—pushing her to keep questioning societal expectations and her own inner truth.
By her mid-20s, Cyrus publicly identified as pansexual and genderfluid, a self-understanding she described as liberating rather than limiting. In a 2015 Time magazine interview, she explained:
“I don’t relate to being a boy or a girl, and I don’t have to have my partner relate to boy or girl.”
It was a declaration of freedom—a direct extension of Parton’s early wisdom to live authentically, without fear.
Dolly’s Steadfast Support: “You Do You”
For her part, Dolly Parton has long been a symbol of authenticity and inclusion. Known for her warmth and acceptance, she has never judged Cyrus’s bold choices. Instead, she has praised her goddaughter’s confidence and creativity.
Parton once said she would “never dream of calling her and saying, ‘Why are you doing this?’” Instead, she offered a simple philosophy:
“You do you, I’ll do me, and together we’ll be us.”
It’s this unconditional support that Cyrus credits with helping her navigate the pressures of fame and self-expression. Parton’s decades-long advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community—through music, public statements, and even her Dollywood theme park—only deepened the significance of her mentorship.
From “Bangerz” to “Flowers”: The 14-Year Evolution
Cyrus’s self-discovery unfolded publicly across multiple eras of her career, each one marked by reinvention and introspection.
| Era | Key Moment | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 2006–2011 | Hannah Montana | Established her as a child star; created contrast with her later artistic evolution. |
| 2013 | Bangerz / “Wrecking Ball” | Broke away from her Disney image, symbolizing personal and creative liberation. |
| 2014 | Founded the Happy Hippie Foundation | Committed to advocacy for LGBTQ+ and homeless youth. |
| 2023 | Flowers / Endless Summer Vacation | A mature reflection on self-love, independence, and identity. |
Through each phase, Cyrus continued to embody Parton’s advice—evolving publicly, unapologetically, and on her own terms.
The Enduring Impact of Mentorship and Authenticity
The bond between Dolly Parton and Miley Cyrus represents more than a familial relationship; it’s a generational dialogue about identity, authenticity, and love without conditions.
Cyrus’s 14-year journey—from a questioning teenager to a confident artist comfortable in her fluid identity—stands as a testament to what supportive mentorship can inspire. And at the heart of it all is a timeless piece of Dolly wisdom:
“Always be your best, baby.”
It’s a reminder that in a world quick to categorize and judge, the truest act of courage is simply being oneself.
