Miley Cyrus will not appear in the MTV VMAs’ planned tribute to Dolly Parton, according to a report. Kacey Musgraves will instead lead Sunday’s tribute to the country music legend.
Cyrus, Parton’s goddaughter, has shared a close relationship with the singer for years. However, anonymous sources cited by Rob Shutter offered several possible reasons for her absence.
Sources Cite Emotional And Production Concerns
One source claimed Miley’s connection with Parton could make the tribute especially emotional. The insider said producers considered the possibility of asking Cyrus to turn personal grief into a television performance.
Another source claimed Cyrus was never formally invited to perform. According to the report, producers wanted the tribute to remain focused on Parton rather than another major star.
The source said Cyrus could attract significant attention because of her history with Parton. As a result, producers reportedly viewed Musgraves as better suited to deliver the tribute.
VMAs Reportedly Target Country Music Audience
The report also suggested that MTV wants to attract more country music viewers. According to another source, Musgraves could help connect the ceremony with traditional country audiences.
Cyrus has previously performed alongside Parton, making her absence notable to viewers familiar with their relationship. The report said some viewers had expected Cyrus to participate in the special tribute.
However, MTV has not publicly confirmed the reported reasons behind the lineup. The network has also not confirmed claims that Cyrus was excluded because of production or audience considerations.
Meanwhile, Musgraves remains scheduled to lead the tribute celebrating Parton’s career. The performance is expected to highlight the country icon’s influence on music and popular culture.
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