When Miley, the popular pop singer, recently removed “Cyrus” from her social media handles, it sparked speculation and discussion. Some wondered if this change was linked to her emotional connection to Dolly Parton, her godmother, or if there was a rift with her father, renowned country singer Billy Ray Cyrus. Others speculated whether it was related to her upcoming album release.
Billy Ray Cyrus addressed the confusion in a social media post today, revealing that he has always referred to his daughter as “Miley.” He shared a nostalgic photo on Instagram featuring himself and his children from their younger years. Miley, originally named Destiny Hope Cyrus, earned her nickname when her father noticed her constant smiling as a baby, leading to the moniker “Smiley” which eventually became “Miley.”
During Miley’s childhood, Billy Ray Cyrus introduced her to country music legend Dolly Parton, whom he had befriended while touring as her opening act. He asked Dolly Parton to be Miley’s godmother. Following Dolly Parton’s recent passing, both Cyruses have expressed their deep sense of loss.
On the day of Dolly Parton’s death, Billy Ray Cyrus turned 65 and emphasized the importance of family during this time. He supports Miley’s decision to perform under a single name, noting that he feels positive about her choice to go by her first name only. He likened this evolution to other iconic superstars like Dolly, Cher, Elvis, and Prince, suggesting it is a natural progression for a legendary artist.
Miley’s adjustment to using a single name does not signify an official name change but rather a rebranding. Her upcoming tenth studio album, “BASS PERSUADES,” is set for release on Sept. 18, accompanied by two concerts at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles in October. Expressing her excitement, Miley shared on Instagram that although she has been an audience member at the Hollywood Bowl many times, she is thrilled to finally take the stage and bring her performance to her beloved city of Los Angeles.
