Billy Ray Cyrus has publicly responded to his daughter Miley Cyrus' decision to drop her surname professionally, saying he feels positive about her choice to go by simply 'Miley'.
The singer recently announced that her upcoming album, Bass Persuades, will be released under the name Miley, marking a change in how she is presenting herself professionally. The album is scheduled for release on 18 September 2026.
Billy Ray addressed the decision on social media, reflecting that he has always called his daughter Miley. 'Family means more than ever now. I always called my little girl Miley. Just ... Miley,' he wrote.
His comments offered a supportive response to the change while also highlighting the long history behind both Miley's name and his own professional identity.
Billy Ray Cyrus Calls the Move a 'Natural Progression'
In his post, Billy Ray said he had spoken to Miley about her decision and told her he felt good about her using her first name professionally.
He also compared her choice with a number of famous musicians who are widely recognised by a single name, mentioning Dolly, Cher, Elvis and Prince.
Billy Ray described Miley's move as a 'natural progression' for an 'iconic superstar legend' and said he was looking forward to hearing her new album.
The comments are notable because 'Cyrus' has been an established part of Miley's professional identity since she first became famous. However, neither Billy Ray's statement nor Miley's announcement establishes that the change is connected to any particular family issue. The decision has been presented as a professional change accompanying her upcoming music release.
Miley Announces Bass Persuades
Miley revealed the name change alongside the announcement of Bass Persuades, her upcoming 10th studio album.
In her announcement, she explained that the title reflects the emotional power of music and its ability to capture different parts of life. She described music as 'powerful, vulnerable, sweet and strong', connecting the project with experiences ranging from heartbreak to happiness.
The album follows her 2025 release, Something Beautiful, and is scheduled to arrive on September 18.
Rather than presenting the surname change as a legal name change, current reports describe it as a professional rebranding, with the singer using 'Miley' across promotional material and social media connected with the new album.
Billy Ray Has His Own History With 'Cyrus'
Miley's decision also has an interesting connection to her father's own experience with his stage name.
Billy Ray previously revealed that he had wanted to perform simply as 'Cyrus' early in his career. Speaking to Rolling Stone in 2017, he said he had asked Mercury Records to call him Cyrus because that was the name he was comfortable using.
'I always went by Cyrus, and I begged Mercury Records to call me Cyrus in the beginning because that's what I was comfortable with,' he told the publication.
Billy Ray ultimately became widely known professionally as Billy Ray Cyrus, particularly following the success of his 1992 country hit 'Achy Breaky Heart'.
His comments about his own naming experience add another layer to his response to Miley's decision, although the two situations are not identical.
Miley's One-Name Identity Joins a Long Musical Tradition
Using a single professional name is well established in popular music. Artists including Cher, Prince and Elvis have become recognisable without consistently relying on a surname.
Billy Ray specifically referenced those artists when discussing Miley's decision, suggesting that he views her move as part of the evolution of an established music career.
For Miley, the change arrives alongside a major new album release and a return to live performances. It therefore marks a significant moment in promoting her latest music, without requiring assumptions about the personal reasons behind the decision.
Miley To Perform at the Hollywood Bowl
Miley is also set to celebrate the release of Bass Persuades with two performances at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.
The concerts are scheduled for 16 and 18 October 2026. Official ticketing information lists both performances under the name 'MILEY', with Model/Actriz scheduled as the special guest.
The shows will give fans an opportunity to hear material from Bass Persuades while seeing the singer perform under her newly adopted professional name.
For now, Billy Ray Cyrus has made his position clear: he supports his daughter's decision and sees the move as a natural step for an established artist.
As Miley prepares to release Bass Persuades, the focus will now turn to the music itself and how the latest chapter of her career unfolds under the name simply known around the world: Miley.
