Life must be interesting when Dolly Parton is your godmother. The country queen is not only great at making music but also extremely savvy at business. Her Dollywood theme park might seem like a joke, but in reality, it is a wonderful place for roller coasters. Dolly doesn't play around.
Miley Cyrus, Dolly's goddaughter, is successful in her own right. And that is no recent thing. The pop star began on Hannah Montana, which appeared gimmicky as she also had a famous father (Billy Ray), but Miley proved she had talent. Her music career has featured 13 top-10 singles.
But when Dolly speaks, Cyrus still must listen.
Dolly Parton advises Miley Cyrus to try a different marketing approach
In a recent talk with Apple Music, Cyrus explained that Dolly was not a massive fan of her marketing her 2023 album, Endless Summer Vacation. It seems that Cyrus donned a bikini one too many times for Dolly's liking. During a 45-minute car ride from Cyrus's house to Dolly's, Parton let Cyrus know how she really felt.
Cyrus said, "She's like, 'Everyday, it's just a new picture of you in a bikini, but like, what are you gonna do for the (marketing)?' I was like, 'Well, I'm working on something else. We've already worked on the thing. She's like, 'That's not what you do with a project.'"
It is difficult to argue with either side. Both women understand what works for their careers. Dolly wouldn't appear in a bikini because that has never truly been her style. Cyrus isn't afraid to show some skin. It is different approaches to the same game.
Cyrus was speaking in part to Apple to help sell her new record, Something Beautiful, which will be released on May 30. The expectation is that the record will sound different than her previous one. The album will feature more experimentation and psychedelia. There could be fewer singles, but a better overall record.
One has not heard how Dolly feels about the new album, but we have seen fewer recent photos of Cyrus in a bikini, so maybe Cyrus heeded Dolly's advice. Of course, if the album doesn't sell well, Cyrus might return to the same marketing approach.