Now, the date has taken on an even more emotional meaning following the death of Dolly Parton, Cyrus’ beloved godmother.
What makes the coincidence especially striking is that Cyrus herself had already pointed out the importance of August 25 years earlier.
Miley Cyrus Previously Revealed Why the Date Matters
In 2023, Cyrus deliberately chose August 25 as the release date for her reflective single “Used to Be Young.”
She explained:
“I decided to release ‘Used to Be Young’ on August 25th because this particular date historically has been important to me personally and in my career.”
Looking back at her life, it becomes clear that she wasn’t exaggerating.
August 25 has repeatedly appeared during some of the biggest moments surrounding Cyrus.
August 25, 2010: Her First Reported Split From Liam Hemsworth
One of the earliest major events connected with the date came in 2010.
On August 25 of that year, reports emerged that Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth had separated.
The pair had met while filming The Last Song in 2009, beginning what would eventually become one of Hollywood’s most closely followed on-again, off-again relationships.
Ironically, Cyrus had previously said she wasn’t even interested in dating when she first met Hemsworth.
“I was actually going through a tough time. I was like, guys just need to be out of my life for a little while.”
Then Hemsworth impressed her almost immediately.
“He opened the door for me, and I was like, I have been in L.A. for three years and I don’t think any guy has actually opened the door for me.”
The relationship would eventually include reconciliations, an engagement, marriage and divorce, but that first reported breakup permanently connected August 25 with one of Cyrus’ biggest personal relationships.
August 25, 2013: Miley Cyrus Changed Pop Culture
Three years later, August 25 became even more significant.
That day, the audio for “Wrecking Ball” was released, beginning the rise of what would become one of Cyrus’ most successful songs.
But that wasn’t all.
That very night, Cyrus appeared with Robin Thicke at the MTV Video Music Awards in a performance that instantly became one of the most controversial moments in modern pop culture.
The performance involved teddy bears, twerking, a foam finger and Cyrus dramatically separating herself from the Disney image that had defined her younger years.
The backlash was enormous.
But so was the attention.
The following day, Cyrus celebrated the massive social-media reaction:
“Smilers! My VMA performance had 306,000 tweets per minute. That’s more than the blackout or Super Bowl! #fact.”
Meanwhile, “Wrecking Ball” continued gaining momentum.
Its music video shattered viewing records, and the song eventually became Cyrus’ first No. 1 single on the Billboard Hot 100.
In one day, August 25 had become connected to both one of her biggest controversies and one of her greatest career successes.
August 25 Is Also Billy Ray Cyrus’ Birthday
The date carries an important family connection as well.
Miley’s father, country singer Billy Ray Cyrus, was born on August 25.
Their relationship has experienced complicated periods over the years, but music has repeatedly connected them.
Billy Ray once revealed that Miley gave him an especially meaningful birthday gift: a song she wrote for him called “Secrets.”
He shared:
“For my birthday, Miley gave me the gift of music and wrote me a song called Secrets and got my favorite musicians Fleetwood Mac to play on it! I love you Mile ❤️.”
That connection made August 25 a meaningful date long before Cyrus deliberately used it for another career milestone.
August 25, 2023: ‘Used to Be Young’
Exactly 10 years after the infamous 2013 VMA performance, Cyrus released “Used to Be Young.”
The song was an unusually reflective look at the way people judged her younger years.
“I know I used to be crazy. I know I used to be fun. You say I used to be wild. I say I used to be young.”
The timing wasn’t accidental.
By releasing the song on August 25, Cyrus connected her adult perspective with a date that had represented so many previous versions of herself.
It also arrived during another extraordinary career period following the enormous success of “Flowers.”
But nothing could have prepared Cyrus for what August 25 would eventually represent three years later.
August 25, 2026: Dolly Parton Dies
On August 25, 2026, Dolly Parton’s family announced that the legendary singer had died at 80.
For Cyrus, the loss was deeply personal.
Parton wasn’t simply another country-music icon. She was Miley’s godmother, mentor, collaborator and longtime family friend.
Parton’s nephew, Brian Seaver, announced her death through an emotional video posted to the singer’s Instagram account.
“But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly.”
He continued:
“Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by Carl, her parents, and countless others who have watched her and longed for her to meet them in the heavens.”
Seaver also revealed one of Parton’s final wishes.
After spending decades wearing extravagant costumes, rhinestones and elaborate stage outfits, Parton apparently wanted something much simpler when she was laid to rest.
According to Seaver, she requested:
“A beautiful bed of plush cotton because after a life wearing heavy rhinestones, she finally deserves to be comfortable and have some rest.”
For Cyrus, Parton’s death transformed an already meaningful date once again.
Tributes Pour In for Dolly Parton
The reaction to Parton’s death extended far beyond Nashville.
Political leaders from across the ideological spectrum praised her music, generosity and philanthropy.
President Donald Trump announced that American flags would be lowered to half-staff in her honor, with the proclamation applying to the White House, government buildings, military installations and U.S. facilities abroad.
Former President Barack Obama remembered the extraordinary range of Parton’s accomplishments.
He reflected on her journey from poverty to international fame while highlighting her Grammy Awards, business empire, literacy work and contribution to medical research.
Former President George W. Bush similarly remembered Parton as both an extraordinary entertainer and an exceptional person.
But some of the most emotional tributes came from people who knew her personally.
Jane Fonda Remembers the Woman Behind the Rhinestones
Jane Fonda, who starred alongside Parton in 9 to 5, shared a deeply personal tribute.
“I am devastated.”
Fonda described Parton as someone whose personality was so powerful that her presence would continue long after her death.
“Dolly will always be with us because she was so present, so powerful, so generous and playful that she is woven into all our lives and hearts forever.”
Her tribute also revealed the playful side of Parton that friends knew privately.
Fonda remembered her as both a thoughtful, soulful woman and an outrageous prankster who could keep friends laughing late into the night.
She ultimately described her as:
“The voluptuous embodiment of empathy.”
Oprah Winfrey Reflects on Dolly’s Extraordinary Journey
Oprah Winfrey also remembered Parton’s humble beginnings and remarkable rise.
“This girl from the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee dreamed a life and then lived a life bigger than she could have ever imagined.”
Winfrey praised Parton for giving generously in ways both visible and private.
“No one like her. She brought the light, and we are all better because she was here.”
She ended simply:
“God bless you, Dolly — you earned your wings.”
Billy Ray Cyrus Reveals Dolly’s Final Message to Him
Billy Ray Cyrus shared his own memories of Parton, recalling how she had been part of his life long before he became famous.
One particularly memorable moment occurred in 1992, when tabloids claimed the two were romantically involved.
Billy Ray said he went into Parton’s dressing room to apologize.
Her response was classic Dolly.
“Honey, this trash sells records!”
But his tribute also contained something considerably more emotional.
Billy Ray revealed that Parton had recently sent him a message saying she loved him “with her whole heart.”
He responded:
“I will always love her in the same way.”
One Date, Many Different Chapters
August 25 has now followed Miley Cyrus through remarkably different periods of her life.
It marked her first widely reported breakup with Liam Hemsworth.
Three years later, it became the date of her explosive VMA transformation and the arrival of “Wrecking Ball.”
It is her father’s birthday.
In 2023, Cyrus deliberately chose it to release “Used to Be Young,” a song about looking back at the person she had once been.
And in 2026, August 25 became the day the world learned Dolly Parton was gone.
Perhaps it is simply coincidence.
But considering Cyrus herself once acknowledged the date’s unusual significance, every new connection makes August 25 feel increasingly remarkable.
For Miley Cyrus, it is no longer merely another square on the calendar.
It has become a date carrying pieces of her childhood, relationships, family, career, reinvention — and now, one of the most heartbreaking goodbyes of her life.
