Billy Ray Cyrus has publicly addressed his daughter Miley’s decision to drop her surname ahead of her upcoming album release, calling it a “natural progression” for the music icon. The move comes as Miley prepares to unveil her tenth studio album, “Bass Persuades,” scheduled for 18 September, following a poignant tribute to her late godmother Dolly Parton.
A Name Change Marked by Tribute
Miley Cyrus unveiled the album teaser with her new moniker simply as “Miley,” marking a significant shift from her established stage name. The 35-year-old artist shared a striking portrait of herself wearing a white rose in her mouth, captioning it with reflective words about music’s power: “Music takes hold of us. We feel it, sing it, sometimes dance to it, let it out and carry on. It is powerful, vulnerable, sweet and strong. Heart full, heartache, every part of life in between. That’s what the title means to me.”
The name change has resonated across her social media platforms, prompting widespread discussion among fans and media outlets about the personal significance behind the decision.
Billy Ray’s Heartfelt Instagram Response
In response to the speculation, Billy Ray Cyrus shared a nostalgic Instagram post featuring a childhood photo of himself with Miley and her brother Braison. He wrote: “Family means more than ever now. I always called my little girl Miley. Just… Miley. Just like I always called my little boy Braison.”
He continued with historical context, noting that before his breakthrough hit “Achy Breaky Heart” in 1992, his swag and merchandise simply read “CYRUS SOME GAVE ALL” featuring an image of a POW MIA flag with the words “You are not forgotten.”
The elder Cyrus drew parallels between Miley’s evolution and other music legends: “I mentioned Dolly and Cher. Thinkin’ about it more and more… Elvis… Prince… and so on. It’s a natural progression for an iconic superstar legend. And the legend continues!”
Family Reconciliation and Recent Losses
The name change coincides with Miley’s public reconciliation with her father following years of family tension after Billy Ray’s divorce from Tish Cyrus in 2022. The couple had been married for nearly three decades before their separation.
Miley spoke candidly about the reconciliation process: “At first, it’s hard because the little kid in you reacts before the adult in you can go, ‘Yes, that’s your dad, but that’s just another person that deserves to be in his bliss and to be happy.’ So my adult self has caught up.”
She added that timing had been crucial: “I think timing is everything. You know, there’s been enough bridges now of time to get us all reconnected.”
The album release follows closely on the heels of Parton’s death on 25 August at age 80. Miley had shared a moving tribute to her godmother, recalling one of their final conversations about “music and metamorphosis.”
“The feeling of losing my Aunt Dolly is beyond what feels right to share,” Miley wrote. “Our most sacred moments were private and they’ll stay there behind the stage, beneath the glamour and between our hearts. What I KNOW is Dolly would want me to feel it, write a song about it, and then continue on and be strong.”
Miley emphasized her enduring love for Parton: “I will always love Parton, my godmother, and wanted to make her proud. My heart breaks for the world, her family and friends who will miss her deeply. We’re in this loss together and we will see her in all of the most beautiful things.”
Personal Evolution and Artistic Expression
The album “Bass Persuades” represents another chapter in Miley Cyrus’s multifaceted artistic journey, which has evolved significantly since her Disney Channel days as Hannah Montana. The 10-track project continues to honour Parton’s profound influence, extending far beyond music throughout Miley’s life and career.
Billy Ray Cyrus is currently in a relationship with British model and actor Elizabeth Hurley, with whom he went public with their romance in April 2025. Meanwhile, Tish Cyrus remarried in August 2022 to Prison Break actor Dominic Purcell.
The music community awaits the full album release on 18 September, curious to see how Miley’s personal journey—marked by family healing, professional reinvention, and the loss of a beloved mentor—will manifest through her music.
Why it Matters
This pivotal moment in Miley Cyrus’s career represents more than just a name change—it symbolises the complex evolution of identity in the public eye and the healing power of family reconciliation. Coming so soon after the devastating loss of Dolly Parton, a figure who served as both mentor and surrogate aunt, Miley’s artistic rebirth through “Bass Persuades” demonstrates how artists transform personal grief and growth into creative expression. The Cyrus family’s public navigation of divorce, reconciliation, and new relationships offers a rare glimpse into how celebrity families maintain connections through life’s turbulent seasons, setting an example for fans navigating their own complex family dynamics.