Billy Ray Cyrus addresses Miley Cyrus dropping last name following estrangement
Billy Ray Cyrus is opening up about daughter Miley Cyrus’ decision to ditch their famous last name.
The country music star took to Instagram 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.
“Family means more than ever now,” Billy Ray, 65, began in the caption. “I always called my little girl Miley. Just … Miley. Just like I always called my little boy Braison.”
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 “swag” at the time featured only his last name.
The “Old Town Road (Remix)” singer revealed that he told Miley, 33, yesterday that he “felt good about her going with her first name.”
“I mentioned Dolly [Parton] and Cher. Thinkin’ about it more and more … Elvis … Prince … and so on,” he continued. “It’s a natural progression for an iconic superstar legend.”
Billy Ray also shared his excitement for Miley’s highly anticipated 10th studio album before reflecting on what might have been if his record labels had simply let him go by Cyrus.
“I could have done something!!! Ha ha !!! 🤣 All good. 👍🏼,” he concluded.
Miley mysteriously dropped her last name from her social media handles Monday, leaving her followers wondering about the reason behind the career move.
She offered no explanation, instead posting two red-and-black photos of herself on Instagram and captioning one simply, “MILEY.”
Billy Ray’s 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.
In addition to Miley and Braison, the former couple are also parents to daughter Brandi, 39, son Trace, 37, and daughter Noah, 26.
In May 2025, however, the father-daughter pair reunited to celebrate Braison’s 31st birthday. Billy Ray marked the occasion by sharing a photo with his children and Miley’s fiancé, Maxx Morando.
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 “a glitch.”
Miley later took to Instagram Stories to clear up the situation.
“I rarely comment on rumors, but my mama and I are too tight for anything to ever come between us,” she wrote at the time. “She’s my best friend. Like a lot of moms, she doesn’t know how to work her phone and somehow unfollowed me — simple, coincidental and uninteresting.”
“My dad and I have had our challenges over the years,” the “Flowers” vocalist continued. “Now in my 30s, family is my priority above all else. I’m at peace knowing bridges have been built, and time has done a lot of healing. [I’m] grateful for the good health and love that flows through my family.”
In September 2025, Miley released “Secrets,” which she described at the time as a “peace offering for someone [she] had lost for a time but always loved.”
She then revealed, “This song is for my dad.”
