Billy Ray Cyrus is opening up about daughter Miley Cyrus\u2019 decision to ditch their famous last name.<\/p>\n
The country music star took to Instagram<\/a> Wednesday to share his reaction, posting a throwback photo of himself with Miley and her brother, Braison, both of whom he shares with ex-wife Tish Cyrus.<\/p>\n \u201cFamily means more than ever now,\u201d Billy Ray, 65, began in the caption. \u201cI always called my little girl Miley. Just \u2026 Miley. Just like I always called my little boy Braison.\u201d<\/p>\n He went on to explain that before his 1992 hit single Achy Breaky Heart catapulted him to fame, he was known simply as Cyrus, adding that all of his \u201cswag\u201d at the time featured only his last name.<\/p>\n The Old Town Road (Remix) singer revealed that he told Miley, 33, yesterday that he \u201cfelt good about her going with her first name\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cI mentioned Dolly [Parton] and Cher. Thinkin\u2019 about it more and more \u2026 Elvis \u2026 Prince \u2026 and so on,\u201d he continued. \u201cIt\u2019s a natural progression for an iconic superstar legend.\u201d<\/p>\n Billy Ray also shared his excitement for Miley\u2019s highly anticipated 10th studio album before reflecting on what might have been if his record labels had simply let him go by Cyrus.<\/p>\n \u201cI could have done something!!! Ha ha !!! All good,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n Miley mysteriously dropped her last name from her social media handles Monday, leaving her followers wondering about the reason behind the career move.<\/p>\n She offered no explanation, instead posting two red-and-black photos of herself on Instagram and captioning one simply, \u201cMILEY.\u201d<\/p>\n Billy Ray\u2019s remarks come against the backdrop of his years-long estrangement from Miley, which began after he and her mother, Tish Cyrus, divorced in April 2022.<\/p>\n In addition to Miley and Braison, the former couple are also parents to daughter Brandi, 39, son Trace, 37, and daughter Noah, 26.<\/p>\n In May 2025, however, the father-daughter pair reunited to celebrate Braison\u2019s 31st birthday. Billy Ray marked the occasion by sharing a photo with his children and Miley\u2019s fiance, Maxx Morando.<\/p>\n Shortly after, fans noticed that Tish had unfollowed the Wrecking Ball singer on Instagram, though a source told Page Six at the time that the unfollow was simply \u201ca glitch\u201d.<\/p>\n Miley later took to Instagram Stories to clear up the situation.<\/p>\n \u201cI rarely comment on rumours, but my mama and I are too tight for anything to ever come between us,\u201d she wrote at the time. \u201cShe\u2019s my best friend. Like a lot of mums, she doesn\u2019t know how to work her phone and somehow unfollowed me \u2014 simple, coincidental and uninteresting.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMy dad and I have had our challenges over the years,\u201d the Flowers vocalist continued. \u201cNow in my 30s, family is my priority above all else. I\u2019m at peace knowing bridges have been built, and time has done a lot of healing. [I\u2019m] grateful for the good health and love that flows through my family.\u201d<\/p>\n In September 2025, Miley released Secrets, which she described at the time as a \u201cpeace offering for someone [she] had lost for a time but always loved\u201d.<\/p>\n She then revealed, \u201cThis song is for my dad.\u201d<\/p>\n This article originally appeared in Page Six<\/a> and was reproduced with permission<\/p>\n