Miley Cyrus delivered a sold-out performance at the Hollywood Bowl on Friday, marking her return to touring after years of hiatus. During the concert, she honored her late godmother, Dolly Parton, who passed away on August 25 following a private battle with cancer.
Cyrus began the evening by singing Parton’s hit song Jolene, while tearfully recounting her godmother’s influence on her career. She recalled a conversation with Parton, who had encouraged her to perform at the Hollywood Bowl, a venue where Parton herself had once played. Cyrus also shared an anecdote about Parton teasing her during a past interaction, saying, “Okay, Miley,” though Cyrus noted that “that never means okay.”
The tribute extended beyond Cyrus’s performance. Parton’s song The Best of Both Worlds—from Cyrus’s former Disney Channel show Hannah Montana—was performed earlier in the evening, further emphasizing the generational connection between the two artists. Cyrus described feeling Parton’s presence throughout the show, stating that she could “feel her in the room.”
The concerts, billed as part of the promotion for Cyrus’s latest album Bass Persuades, represent her first major tour since she stepped away from live performances several years ago, citing mental health concerns. The two-night engagement at the iconic venue sold out, drawing approximately 18,000 attendees per show. Cyrus addressed the emotional weight of returning to the stage, emphasizing her efforts to balance her fans’ expectations with her personal well-being.
During the performance, Cyrus also reflected on her artistic evolution, noting that she no longer prioritizes performance in the same way she once did. She described her approach as more introspective, focusing on authenticity over spectacle. The evening concluded with Cyrus expressing gratitude to the audience, calling the experience “a full-circle moment.”
The Hollywood Bowl concerts follow the release of Bass Persuades, Cyrus’s 10th studio album, on which she is credited simply as Miley—dropping her last name as part of her artistic rebranding.