Miley Cyrus sparks marriage rumors, lights up 'Jolene'

By Mikael Wood

Dec. 27, 2012 2:41 PM PT

Is Miley Cyrus married?

That’s the question being asked after the pop star -- who’s been engaged to Australian actor Liam Hemsworth since last summer -- tweeted a photo on Christmas in which she appears to be wearing what might be a wedding band. (This is what we in the business call a slow news week, folks.)

Far more interesting than any potential nuptials, Cyrus also posted a new video to her YouTube account, the latest chapter in her ongoing “Backyard Sessions” performance series. It presents an excellent rendition of Dolly Parton’s early-’70s country classic “Jolene,” delivered with as much pained intensity as Cyrus brought youthful exuberance to “Party in the U.S.A.” Watch it below.

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Coming as it does on the heels of “Decisions,” her weirdly effective dubstep collaboration with Borgore, Cyrus’s “Jolene” has Pop & Hiss kind of excited for her upcoming album, the follow-up to 2010’s so-so “Can’t Be Tamed.”

Among her creative partners this time around is Pharrell Williams, who recently told MTV that their work together ended up “nowhere near” what you might expect.

Bonus fun fact gleaned from Cyrus’ website: Parton is the singer’s godmother. Who knew? (Not us.)