Dolly Parton and Miley Cyrus have always shared a deep and special bond. Dolly, 78, is famously Miley’s godmother, but their connection goes much further than just that – it turns out they’re actually blood relatives!
In a surprising revelation, the two iconic musicians have been confirmed to be distant cousins. Yes, you read that right! According to the genealogy company Ancestry, Dolly and Miley are not just godmother and goddaughter, but also seventh cousins, once removed.
Ancestry explained the connection in a statement, saying, “Dolly Parton and Miley Cyrus are seventh cousins, once removed! Their common ancestor is John Brickey, born in 1740 in Virginia.” It turns out that their family roots trace back over 280 years, with John Brickey being the key figure who links them.
The story of John Brickey is a fascinating one. “He later moved to Blount County, Tennessee, with his wife and children and remained there until his death in 1806. The Brickey family originated from France and the family came to the United States in the late 1600s,” Ancestry added. Both Dolly and Miley were born and raised in Tennessee, making this family tie even more interesting, as their shared connection is rooted in the same state where they built their musical legacies.
When Dolly was told about the news during an interview promoting her new cookbook with her sister for Access Hollywood, her reaction was priceless. “Is that true? That’s amazing!” she exclaimed. It’s clear that the news took her by surprise, and she immediately shared her thoughts on it. “Well, we’re so close, Miley and I. I would’ve thought we would’ve been at least third cousins, 10 times removed,” she said jokingly.
Dolly, sweetly added, “I’m sure she’ll get a kick out of that, but it doesn’t surprise me because she does feel like family.” Her comments perfectly capture the close relationship she and Miley share, one that feels like family in every sense of the word.
Over the years, the two have shared plenty of iconic moments together. From working side-by-side on Disney Channel’s Hannah Montana to co-hosting New Year’s Eve events, Dolly and Miley have truly embodied the spirit of family in both their personal and professional lives. More recently, the pair collaborated on a stunning duet of Miley’s hit song “Wrecking Ball,” which was featured on Dolly’s latest album Rockstar. Their combined talents and mutual admiration for each other shine through in everything they do, whether it’s on-screen, on stage, or in the recording studio.
This newly discovered family connection only adds to the already special relationship between Dolly Parton and Miley Cyrus. While it might be surprising to some, it seems like it was meant to be all along. After all, with their shared talent, charisma, and love for music, the bond between Dolly and Miley has always felt like something greater than just godmother and goddaughter. Now, we know it’s written in their family history!
