Billy Ray Cyrus supports Miley dropping last name for new album era

Miley began her rebranding effort on August 31 with a cryptic red-filtered photograph and a caption consisting of a single word: MILEY. Within days, she scrubbed the surname Cyrus from her social media handles, signaling a shift to a mononymous identity. While the sudden move raised eyebrows among fans familiar with her historically strained relationship with her father, Billy Ray Cyrus responded on September 2 with enthusiastic public endorsement.

The 65-year-old country singer framed the change not as a detachment, but as a natural progression for an iconic superstar legend, according to Livemint. Billy Ray revealed he had spoken with his daughter the day before the unveiling, stating,

"I told @miley yesterday I felt good about her going with her first name,"

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Billy Ray Cyrus, via Yahoo News

and citing the precedent of mononymous icons such as Prince, Elvis Presley, Cher, and Miley's late godmother, Dolly Parton.

This professional pivot coincides with the launch of her 10th studio album, Bass Persuades, scheduled for release on September 18. The album, her first through Atlantic Records, is described by the singer as a layered, multi-dimensional love story involving both self-love and a romantic partner, likely her fiancé Maxx Morando, as reported by The Daily Beast.

The public reconciliation behind the branding move follows years of volatile family dynamics. The rift intensified following the 2022 divorce of Billy Ray and Tish Cyrus, with sources telling E! Online that the split put a significant strain on the father-daughter relationship. Tension persisted through 2024, evidenced by Miley's Grammy acceptance speech in February of that year, where she thanked various family members but did not mention her father.

Recovery began in mid-2025. According to The Daily Beast, the pair reconciled after Miley wrote a song titled Secrets as a peace offering, which reportedly moved Billy Ray to tears. By May 2025, Miley publicly acknowledged that while they had challenges over the years, she was now at peace knowing bridges have been built.

Billy Ray suggested that the name change is a reflection of family intimacy rather than a professional snub, noting that he has always called her Just … Miley. He further claimed the move mirrors his own early career ambitions. Before the 1992 success of Achy Breaky Heart, Billy Ray’s merchandise and "swag" featured only the name CYRUS. He joked that his record label, PolyGram Records' Mercury Nashville division, insisted he include his first name, lamenting that he could have done something had they let him remain simply CYRUS.

While Nme reports the specific reason for the name change remains unknown, sources told Page Six that the decision was a career move unrelated to previous family tensions. There is currently no claim that the singer has legally changed her surname.

The shift to a singular identity arrives as Miley balances her mental health with her professional obligations. Despite previously stating a lack of desire to tour due to the impact on her wellbeing, she has announced two shows at the Hollywood Bowl on October 16 and 18 to celebrate the new record.

The transition from a family-branded identity to a mononymous one will face its first concrete test on September 18 with the release of Bass Persuades.

Collaborative Reunions and Branding Roots

The branding shift follows a series of professional reconciliations between Miley and her father. According to Yahoo News, the pair recently collaborated on a 20th anniversary special for Hannah Montana on Disney+.

This cooperation extends to other family members; Billy Ray collaborated with his son Braison on The Hill, while his daughter Noah contributed to the album. These efforts align with Billy Ray's recent statement to PEOPLE that the family is focused on the future, asserting that the past is over and done.

The move to a singular name also echoes Miley's early childhood. LiveMint reports she was nicknamed Smiley as a child due to her cheerful disposition, a name that eventually evolved into Miley.

Beyond her father's approval, the rebranding has gained traction with her audience. The Daily Beast notes that the official Instagram account of the Empire State Building commented I AM PERSUADED on a teaser for the album's first single.

The singer's upcoming performances at the Hollywood Bowl on October 16 and 18 will feature support from Model/Actriz, as reported by NME. Tickets for these events are scheduled for general sale on September 10 at 10am.

For Billy Ray, who expressed that family means more than ever now, supporting his daughter's move to a mononymous identity represents the next step in a career he continues to endorse.