Miley Cyrus’ August 25 Theory Explained After Godmother Dolly Parton’s Death

For Miley Cyrus, August 25 has been an unusually significant date for years. It marks her father Billy Ray Cyrus’ birthday, the release of one of her biggest career-defining hits, a notorious MTV VMAs performance and, in 2023, the deliberate release date of her reflective single Used To Be Young.

Now the date carries an even more painful meaning. Dolly Parton, Cyrus’ godmother and one of the most important figures in her life, died on August 25, 2026, aged 80, following a brief battle with cancer. Her death was announced by her nephew and longtime head of security, Bryan Seaver, in a video shared on social media.

Cyrus later paid tribute to Parton, describing the grief as deeply personal and saying she would carry her godmother’s memory through music and strength.

Why is August 25 so significant to Miley Cyrus?

The connection between Cyrus and August 25 goes back to her family. Her father, Billy Ray Cyrus, was born on August 25, 1961.

The date also became intertwined with one of the biggest turning points in Cyrus’ career.

On August 25, 2013, she released Wrecking Ball. The song became her first No. 1 hit on the US Billboard charts and played a major role in moving her beyond her Disney Channel and Hannah Montana image and into a new phase of her career.

The accompanying music video, featuring Cyrus with a platinum-blonde pixie cut while swinging on a wrecking ball, quickly became one of the defining images of that period.

That same day, Cyrus delivered one of her most controversial performances at the MTV Video Music Awards, where she appeared alongside Robin Thicke and danced provocatively onstage.

Looking back on the moment in a 2018 interview with Wonderland magazine, Cyrus said the performance changed both her life and career. She also explained that the attention surrounding it encouraged her to use her public profile for causes beyond entertainment, including advocacy for homeless teenagers in the US.

Cyrus deliberately chose August 25 again in 2023

A decade after those defining moments, Cyrus once again selected August 25 for an important career release.

On August 25, 2023, she released Used To Be Young, a song reflecting on her younger years and the different stages of her life. The track had been written two years earlier and became part of the continued release surrounding her album Endless Summer Vacation.

Cyrus later made clear that the date was intentional. She said August 25 had become historically important to her both personally and professionally, making the anniversary of Wrecking Ball and her 2013 VMAs appearance particularly meaningful.

The song itself was introspective, with Cyrus looking back at the person she had been while considering how she had changed.

Its release made the date feel even more firmly established as a recurring milestone in her career.

August 25 also appeared during Cyrus’ relationship with Liam Hemsworth

The significance of the date extended beyond music.

In August 2019, Cyrus’ marriage to Liam Hemsworth was coming to an end. Hemsworth filed for divorce on August 21, 2019, citing irreconcilable differences, shortly after the couple announced their separation.

The pair had first begun dating in 2009 and had an on-and-off relationship before becoming engaged twice. They eventually married in December 2018.

The breakup later became closely associated with Cyrus’ music, particularly Flowers. Released in 2023, the song became her second US Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 and went on to become her most successful song, earning two Grammy Awards.

Against that history, August 25 has accumulated several major personal and professional associations for Cyrus. Parton’s death has now added the most painful one.

Miley Cyrus’ tribute to Dolly Parton

Cyrus responded to Parton’s death with an emotional message on Instagram, reflecting on the private relationship they shared away from the public spotlight.

She wrote that losing her godmother was a grief she did not feel was hers to fully put into words, adding that some of their most meaningful moments would remain private.

Cyrus also recalled one of their final conversations, which centered on music and transformation. She said she believed Parton would have wanted her to feel the grief, turn it into a song and continue forward with strength.

Cyrus described Parton as an angel who had always been by her side and said she would continue trying to make her proud.

She ended by acknowledging the wider loss felt by Parton’s family, friends and fans, writing that everyone would continue to find her in beautiful things.

Their relationship stretched far beyond family ties. Parton was a longtime presence in Cyrus’ life and career, including appearances on Hannah Montana and musical collaborations between the two. Their shared history also included performances of Parton’s classic Jolene.

Taylor Swift remembers Dolly Parton

Cyrus was far from the only major artist to pay tribute.

Taylor Swift described Parton as an extraordinary influence whose legacy would continue long after her death. Swift praised her generosity, songwriting, humor and ability to encourage people to remain true to themselves.

She also highlighted Parton’s work providing books to children through her Imagination Library, as well as the example she set for young women who wanted to pursue their own ambitions.

Swift concluded her tribute by saying she would think of Parton along the way.

Parton had previously spoken warmly about Swift and called her a great inspiration.

Donald Trump orders flags lowered in Parton’s honor

President Donald Trump also paid tribute to Parton following her death.

In a Truth Social post, Trump called Parton one of the greatest country singers ever and described her death as a loss for millions of people. He also announced that American flags would be lowered for a week in her honor.

A presidential proclamation formally ordered US flags to be flown at half-staff through sunset on September 1, 2026, at federal buildings and other designated locations in the United States and its territories, as well as US diplomatic and military facilities abroad.

Beyoncé pays tribute to a musical influence

Beyoncé, who recorded her own version of Parton’s Jolene for her 2024 album Cowboy Carter, also shared a tribute.

She remembered Parton as a guiding figure and praised her talent, generosity, humor and entrepreneurial spirit. Beyoncé said she was grateful to have had the opportunity to work with Parton and credited her with making the world a happier place through her art.

Their connection became especially visible through Beyoncé’s reworking of Jolene, one of Parton’s most famous songs.

Eminem shares a personal message from Parton

Eminem offered a different kind of tribute, sharing a personal note Parton had written to him following their inductions into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2022.

In the message, Parton admitted that she did not know much about rap but said she had come to understand that Eminem was among the very best at it. She also told him she had always felt an unexplained connection to him.

Eminem said the note had a lasting impact on him, particularly because Parton had taken the time to write it despite the two never having met.

He described her as an icon and a superstar and thanked her for the kindness she had shown him.

Why the August 25 theory has taken on a new meaning

There is no evidence that August 25 was somehow destined to become a defining date in Cyrus’ life. What is clear is that the date has repeatedly coincided with major moments.

Her father was born on August 25, 1961. Ten years after the release of Wrecking Ball and her headline-making 2013 VMAs appearance, Cyrus intentionally released Used To Be Young on August 25, 2023. The date has also appeared during pivotal moments in her personal life.

Now, August 25 is permanently connected to the loss of Dolly Parton, the woman Cyrus has long considered her godmother and a deeply important figure in her life.

For Cyrus, a date already filled with memories of family, change and career-defining moments has taken on a much more personal meaning with Parton’s death.