Miley Cyrus nearly backed out of the performance that ultimately accompanied the first Grammy wins of her career. The Miley Cyrus Reveals Dolly Parton ‘Trapped’ Her Into Career-Defining Grammy Moment first appeared on The Blast

Miley Cyrus nearly backed out of the performance that ultimately accompanied the first Grammy wins of her career. The pop star has revealed that she was reluctant to sing “Flowers” at the 2024 Grammy Awards because she was still recovering from an anxiety attack she experienced onstage in Mexico two years earlier.

However, her late godmother, Dolly Parton, refused to let fear decide for her. Parton reportedly “trapped” Cyrus in a car, dismissed her attempt to revisit the frightening concert and told her exactly how to step back into the spotlight.

Dolly Parton ‘Trapped’ Miley Cyrus In A Car

Cyrus recalled Parton’s memorable intervention during a new interview with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe. “Dolly was just always right about stuff,” said Cyrus. “Like, she told me for the Grammys, which Bob Mackie passed, and I would’ve never worn Bob Mackie if it wasn’t for Dolly. She knows that I wear my heart on my sleeve.”

Cyrus had been invited to perform “Flowers” during the 2024 ceremony, but she was hesitant to accept the opportunity. Parton responded with direct advice. “She was like, ‘You need to just fake it.’ I’m like, ‘But I don’t want to do it. I’m scared. You remember Mexico?’ She’s like, ‘Enough about Mexico,’” recalled Cyrus.

The “Hannah Montana” alum said Parton unexpectedly volunteered to drive during a visit in Nashville, which apparently wasn’t common in their relationship.

“And it’s very interesting, ‘cause she wanted to pick me up, which never happens,” said Cyrus. “Like, ‘I’ll drive.’ I’m like, ‘Oh sh-t.’ You know, they trapped me in the car, and she’s telling me why I’ve got to do the Grammys. And I’m like, ‘I can’t. You know what happened, and I still feel like I’m in this rest and recovery mode.’”

The Singer Was Still Affected By Her Onstage Anxiety Attack

Cyrus’ reluctance stemmed from an anxiety attack she experienced while performing in Mexico in 2022. As The Blast previously reported, the singer described the incident as the result of a “cocktail of chaos” involving grief, illness, post-pandemic pressure and a frightening aviation emergency.

Cyrus had been traveling to Paraguay to perform at the Asunciónico music festival when her plane was struck by lightning and forced to make an emergency landing. She called Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins after the ordeal. Hawkins, who had become her friend and neighbor during the COVID-19 pandemic, died shortly afterward.

Cyrus later performed before an enormous audience in Mexico while still struggling with the emotional impact of everything that had happened. The experience changed her relationship with live performance and left her wary of immediately returning to major stages.

• Dolly Parton’s final video message ended with words that were deeply familiar to her fans.
• Her death was felt across Hollywood again during an emotional tribute at the Emmys.
• Dolly Parton’s sister revealed the emotional final request the singer made before her death.
• An emotional post shared through Dolly Parton’s social media account after her death left fans heartbroken.
• Dolly Parton’s first cousin revealed rare details about the singer’s small burial ceremony.

Dolly Parton Told Her To Channel Hannah Montana

Parton reportedly gave Cyrus practical advice about transforming herself before the Grammy performance. “She’s like, ‘Get your hair teased, and get a dress that you love, and you’re going to forget for that moment, and you’re going to step into your Hannah Montana, your Dolly Parton. You have that part, your RuPaul. You have that part of yourself. You have that other thing. It’s what the military uses, it’s what the best athletes use,’” noted Cyrus.

Cyrus ultimately followed her godmother’s guidance. She arrived at the Grammy Awards wearing a shimmering Bob Mackie dress and delivered an energetic performance of “Flowers” inspired by Tina Turner. The performance became one of the ceremony’s most memorable moments, particularly when Cyrus playfully called out the crowd while singing her chart-topping hit.

Lorne Michaels Also Pushed Miley Cyrus To Perform

Parton was not the only entertainment legend who encouraged Cyrus to stop retreating from the stage. The singer revealed that “Saturday Night Live” creator Lorne Michaels gave her similar tough-love advice during one of their annual holiday walks around the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center.

Cyrus had previously experienced an ovarian cyst rupture before co-hosting “Miley’s New Year’s Eve Party” with Parton in 2023. “I go to see him, and he goes, ‘Everybody has six months to feel sorry for themselves. It’s Christmas,’ ‘cause it was the New Year’s show the year before,” she said.

“He’s like, ‘I’ve stretched it out for you because I love you, but it’s done. We’re getting back on the horse,'” she added. “He goes, ‘Do you know how many times Paul Simon has told me he’s retiring?’ He goes, ‘Everybody has called me and told me that they’re quitting. You’re not. You’re built for it.'”

When Cyrus mentioned that the Grammys had invited her to perform, Michaels encouraged her to accept. She then traveled to Nashville and received a similar message from Parton.

Cyrus explained that both mentors understood that she still wanted to perform, even when fear and extensive therapy gave her reasons to remain cautious. “They know that I want it, and I probably have done so much therapy that I know the right answer, but sometimes the right answer is something I think that’s much more intuitive,” she said.

The Grammy Performance Became A Career Milestone

Cyrus’ decision to perform proved especially meaningful because “Flowers” earned her her first two Grammy Awards.

She won Best Pop Solo Performance and Record of the Year at the 66th Grammy Awards. The Recording Academy also identified the ceremony as the live television debut of the hit song.

The wins arrived more than two decades after Cyrus began working in entertainment.

Miley Cyrus Opened Up About Their Final Conversation

Parton died on August 25 at age 80 following a brief battle with cancer. Her representative did not disclose the type of cancer. Cyrus previously honored Parton by revealing that one of their last conversations involved music and personal transformation.

During her interview with Lowe, she shared more about what they discussed. “The time that we talked, which was the last time we would talk, it was actually me telling her about this record because even though we are so different, that’s what made us so perfect for each other is that she knew this, and I know this,” she said. The record Cyrus referenced was “Bass Persuades,” which she released on September 18.

As The Blast previously reported, Cyrus described Parton as an angel who would want her to process the loss, turn it into music, and continue moving forward.

The Miley Cyrus Reveals Dolly Parton ‘Trapped’ Her Into Career-Defining Grammy Moment first appeared on The Blast