Billy Ray Cyrus posted a message on social media stating that he doesn't have an issue with his daughter Miley dropping her last name from her professional identity. The post followed speculation about why Miley made the change, including possible tension between her and her father or her late honorary godmother Dolly Parton. In the message, Billy Ray Cyrus referenced the trend of artists performing under a single name, citing examples such as Elvis and Prince. His daughter's album "Bass Persuades" is due to be released on September 18.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-05,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Miley Cyrus dropped "Cyrus" from her stage name on her social media accounts earlier in the week, sparking speculation about why she made the change. Her father, Billy Ray Cyrus, a country singer, cleared up the confusion with a post on Instagram, saying that he has always called his daughter Miley, and that's what matters to him. He added that "family means more than ever now," suggesting that the loss of her honorary godmother, Dolly Parton, or a falling out with him may have motivated her decision. However, Billy Ray explained that Miley was named Destiny Hope Cyrus at birth, but he started calling her Smiley because she smiled so much as a baby, and later shortened it to Miley. This clarification suggests that the name change is simply a matter of personal preference, rather than any deeper issue.
Written for “Miley Name Change Backlash” on 2026-09-05,
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No political leaning scored for article 4011 · logged 2026-09-05
Billy Ray Cyrus reacts to Miley changing her stage name
Country singer says 'family means more than ever now' in social media post
When pop singer Miley dropped the Cyrus from her name on her social media accounts earlier this week, tongues started wagging.
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tongues → react → accounts
Was this the act of a distraught singer, mourning the loss of her honorary godmother, Dolly Parton?
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this → mourn → godmother
Had she fallen out with her famous father, country singer Billy Ray Cyrus?
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she → fall → father
Or did it have something to do with the release of her upcoming album?
Billy Ray Cyrus is clearing up the confusion today with a post on social media.
"I always called my little girl Miley.
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I → have → girl
Just … Miley," he wrote on Instagram, alongside a picture of him with his children when they were young.
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they → write → children
Miley was named Destiny Hope Cyrus at birth, but as a baby she smiled so much, her father told Ellen DeGeneres, he started calling her Smiley — then Miley, and the name stuck.
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name → name → her
Around this time, Billy Ray Cyrus also introduced his young daughter to country music icon Dolly Parton, whom he befriended while performing as her opening act on tour.
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he → introduce → tour
He asked Parton to play the role of godmother to Miley.
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He → ask → Miley
Both Cyruses have publicly expressed how keenly they are feeling the loss of Parton, who died last week.
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who → express → Parton
Billy Ray Cyrus, who turned 65 on the day of Parton's death, says family is more important to him right now than ever before, and he doesn't begrudge his daughter performing under a single name.
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daughter → turn → name
"I told @miley yesterday I felt good about her going with her first name.
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her → tell → name
I mentioned Dolly and Cher.
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I → mention → Dolly
It’s a natural progression for an iconic superstar legend.
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It → ’ → legend
This does not appear to be an official name change for Miley, merely a rebrand.
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This → appear → Miley
Her tenth studio album, Bass Persuades, is due to be released on Sept. 18, and she has also announced two concerts at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles in October.
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she → release → October
"I’ve sat in those seats many times, but I’ve never taken the stage.
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I → sit → stage
L.A. is my heart and I’m bringing it home," she wrote this week on Instagram.
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she → bring → Instagram
