When Miley, the popular pop singer, recently removed “Cyrus” from her social media handles, it sparked speculation among fans and the media. Some wondered if this move was linked to her relationship with her honorary godmother, Dolly Parton, or perhaps a rift with her father, renowned country singer Billy Ray Cyrus. Others speculated if it was related to her upcoming album release.
Billy Ray Cyrus took to social media today to address the confusion. He shared a heartfelt post on Instagram, revealing that he has always affectionately referred to his daughter as just “Miley.” He reminisced about how Miley, originally named Destiny Hope Cyrus, earned her nickname due to her constant smiling as a baby. The name “Miley” stuck ever since.
During Miley’s early years, Billy Ray Cyrus introduced her to country music legend Dolly Parton, whom he had befriended while touring as her opening act. He even asked Parton to be Miley’s godmother. Both father and daughter have publicly expressed their grief over the recent passing of Parton.
Celebrating his 65th birthday on the day of Parton’s death, Billy Ray Cyrus emphasized the importance of family and supported Miley’s decision to perform under her first name only. He drew parallels to other iconic stars like Dolly and Cher, suggesting that using a single name is a natural progression for a legendary superstar.
While Miley’s social media name change does not signal an official rebranding, it aligns with her upcoming activities. Her tenth studio album, “Bass Persuades,” is set for release on Sept. 18, alongside the announcement of two concerts at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles in October. Miley expressed her excitement about performing in Los Angeles, a place she holds dear to her heart, in a recent Instagram post.