Pop sensation Miley made waves recently when she removed “Cyrus” from her social media handles, sparking speculation among fans and followers. Rumors swirled about potential reasons behind this move, ranging from personal issues with her father, Billy Ray Cyrus, to a tribute to her godmother, Dolly Parton, or even a strategic move related to her upcoming album release.
Billy Ray Cyrus has stepped in to clarify the situation through a heartfelt post on social media. Sharing a throwback photo of himself with his children, he revealed that he has always affectionately referred to Miley as just “Miley,” a nickname stemming from her early days. Originally named Destiny Hope Cyrus at birth, Miley’s infectious smile as a baby led her father to coin the nickname “Smiley,” eventually shortened to “Miley.”
The connection between Miley and Dolly Parton is deeply rooted in their shared love for music. Billy Ray Cyrus, who bonded with Parton during his time as her tour opener, asked the legendary singer to be Miley’s godmother. Following Parton’s recent passing, both Billy Ray and Miley have openly expressed their grief over the loss.
On the day of Dolly Parton’s death, which coincided with Billy Ray Cyrus’ 65th birthday, he emphasized the importance of family and supported Miley’s decision to go by a single name, drawing parallels to iconic figures like Dolly and Cher. He noted that this adjustment is a natural evolution for a superstar of Miley’s caliber, more of a rebranding than an official name change.
Miley’s upcoming album, “Bass Persuades,” is set to drop on September 18, accompanied by two live performances at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles in October. Excited about the upcoming shows, Miley took to Instagram to share her sentiments, expressing her love for Los Angeles and her anticipation for the concerts.