
Billy Ray Cyrus Reacts to Miley Dropping Her Last Name
The country singer backed his daughter's move to go mononymously for her new era, comparing her to Cher and Dolly Parton.
By Rae MitchellPublished Updated 2 min read
Miley Cyrus is officially stepping into a bold new era, and she is leaving her famous family surname behind to do it. The pop powerhouse recently shocked fans by adopting a mononym for her upcoming record rollout, *Bass Persuades*. Naturally, observers instantly wondered how her country star father would react to her dropping the iconic Cyrus name from her professional billing. Billy Ray Cyrus has now officially broken his silence, and he wants everyone to know he is completely on board with the switch. In a sweet social media update, the veteran musician proved there are no ill feelings in the family over the rebranding decision.
Why did Miley Cyrus drop her last name?
Watch
Clips tied to this story.
The "Achy Breaky Heart" vocalist posted a nostalgic throwback image of himself holding a young Miley, using the tender moment to explain his thoughts on her career evolution. He reflected on how he has personally always called her simply Miley in private, making the decision feel entirely natural from his perspective. Surprisingly, Billy Ray also shared a piece of his own history from before his massive 1992 breakthrough. He noted that prior to his famous single taking over the charts, all of his early merchandise and branding featured just a single name as well. After catching up with his daughter directly, he reassured her that stepping away from her surname was a smart and powerful move.

What did Billy Ray Cyrus say about Miley?
To justify the transition, Billy Ray compared his daughter to some of the biggest legends in entertainment history. He pointed to iconic performers who became household names using just a single identifier, mentioning heavyweights like Cher, Dolly Parton, Elvis Presley, and Prince. In his public note, the proud father called the transition a completely logical path for a true superstar. He closed his message by celebrating her ongoing success, giving his full blessing as she prepares for her upcoming Hollywood Bowl shows and the arrival of *Bass Persuades*. The rebrand comes at a massive moment for the chart-topping artist, who recently teased fresh material and paid tribute to her legendary godmother Dolly Parton. With a new record on the horizon and massive headlining shows on the schedule, Miley is proving that her legendary status speaks for itself—with or without a last name.
The photos · 5
More like this

Music
Liz Phair Unveils Behind-the-Scenes Look at Flannel and the Fury Tour With Sleater-Kinney
The indie rock icon offers fans a rare glimpse into life on the road following a joint run with Sleater-Kinney.
Oct 29, 2026

Music
Everything But The Girl Unveil New Album 'Blue Reservoir' After Intimate London Gigs
Tracey Thorn and Ben Watt are back with their 12th studio record and lead track 'Young And Dumb.'
Oct 28, 2026

Music
Unreleased 1978 David Bowie Concert Heading to Arenas as Immersive Spectacle
Director Brett Morgen and the late icon's estate are reviving raw footage from London's Earls Court for a massive 2027 tour.
Oct 27, 2026
Get the pop news brief
One daily email. The biggest celebrity, music and TV stories, no filler.
People also ask
- Why did Miley Cyrus drop her last name?
- Miley Cyrus adopted a mononym as part of the rollout for her upcoming album 'Bass Persuades' and her scheduled Hollywood Bowl shows.
- What did Billy Ray Cyrus say about Miley changing her name?
- Billy Ray Cyrus publicly backed the decision on Instagram, calling it a natural evolution for a superstar and comparing her to single-named legends like Cher, Prince, and Elvis.
Reader reaction
No comments yet — be the first to weigh in.