Singing with Dolly was incredible, I not only love her, I am in awe of her.

LIFE in the spotlight was all but destined for Miley Cyrus from birth.

- BY GEMMA McCARTNEY and THOMAS UNSWORTH

With country music icon Billy Ray Cyrus as her dad and 9 to 5 legend Dolly Parton as her godmother, singing was pretty much written in the stars.

And while her early 20s proved controversial, with her naked Wrecking Ball video and risqué dancing, Miley has learned some important life lessons from the singing icon.

The pair sang a rendition of Light of a Clear Blue Morning together in celebration of the Queen of Country's 80th birthday earlier this month, an experience Miley reveals was incredible.

She said: "I not only love her, I am in awe of her. Her motto of 'You do you and I'll do me' is something I always hold on to.

"When I first transitioned away from Hannah Montana I felt a lot of judgment, and I wish I had taken that advice then.

"Nobody should feel judged when all they are trying to do is find their own identity and place in the world."

Miley first found fame in 2006 in Disney's Hannah Montana, playing a schoolgirl who secretly transformed into a hugely successful pop star.

As she got older, she gained a wild child reputation as she tried to outrun wholesome Hannah.