Billy Ray Cyrus has shared his thoughts on the bombshell (or wrecking-ball) news that daughter Miley has dropped her family name for the release of her new album.
The former Hannah Montana star, 33, released a trailer for her forthcoming album this week, titled Bass Persuades.
In it, she was listed by her first name only, a drastic revamp which is reflected across her social media accounts – including her Instagram, where she’s dubbed only ‘MILEY.’
Miley was born Destiny Hope Cyrus to parents Billy Ray and Tish Cyrus in 1992, subsequently earning the nickname ‘Smiley’ for her cheerful demeanour – or Miley for short.
In 2008, she legally changed her name to Miley Ray Cyrus to reflect the shortened version of the nickname.
With Miley having now let go of the family name for her 10th studio album, dad Billy Ray, 65, has shared his thoughts on the big rebrand.
No achy breaky heart here though – Billy Ray is cool with it.
In a new Instagram post, the father of six wrote: ‘Family means more than ever now. I always called my little girl Miley. Just … Miley.
Sharing that he also dubbed Miley’s brother ‘Braison,’ he went on to speak of how he himself had been known as ‘just CYRUS’before his signature song was released in 1992.
He continued: ‘I told @miley yesterday I felt good about her going with her first name. I mentioned Dolly and Cher.
‘Thinkin about it more and more … Elvis .. Prince …and so on. It’s a natural progression for an iconic superstar legend. And the legend continues !’
‘Now … if only Mercury / Polygram would have just not insisted on the” Billy Ray” part and just let me be CYRUS…… I could have done something!!’ he joked, before signing off with a thumbs-up emoji.
Girlfriend Elizabeth Hurley was one of the first to comment on Billy Ray’s post, sharing two heart emojis with the words ‘adorable pic.’
It’s a sentiment she’s previously used to describe Miley herself, when asked if she’d met her man’s most famous daughter yet.
‘I have. I have met Miley. She’s adorable,’ the Austin Powers actress, 61, told host Andy Cohen on, uh, SiriusXM’s Radio Andy with Andy Cohen.
She went on to share that her son, Damien Hurley, whom she shared with the late businessman and film producer Steve Bing, ‘used to love Hannah Montana.’
Elizabeth added: ‘So he loved Father Montana and you know, he loved Miley too, so I always knew who she was, and when he was a young teen, he used to love all her music.
‘I used to have to watch her music videos like Wrecking Ball a zillion times with him, so we were very familiar with who she was, and I knew I was going to like her and I do like her.’
Elizabeth and Billy Ray revealed their relationship in 2024, in the wake of his divorce from third wife Firerose that year.
Billy Ray and second wife Tish share daughters Brandi, 39, and Trace, 37, who he adopted after their marriage.
He and Tish subsequently went on to welcome Miley, Braison, 32, and Noah, 26, together.
He also has son, Christopher, 34, with ex-girlfriend Kristen Luckey.
Last week, Miley spoke of her heartbreak following the death of godmotherDolly Parton, aged 80.
‘The feeling of losing my Aunt Dolly is beyond what feels right to share,’ she wrote in an Instagram tribute at the time.
‘Our most sacred moments were private, and they’ll stay there behind the stage, beneath the glamour & between our hearts.’
Reflecting on her connection to the country legend, an emotional Miley added: ‘What I KNOW is Dolly would want me to feel it, write a song about it, and then continue on and be strong.
‘I have an angel by my side. I always have. One of our last conversations was about music and metamorphosis. 🦋
‘I will always love her and want to make her proud. My heart breaks for the world, her family and friends who will miss her deeply.
She finished: ‘We’re in this loss together, and we will see her in all of the most beautiful things. 💖’