Pop sensation Miley stirred up speculation when she removed “Cyrus” from her social media handles recently. Rumors swirled about the reason behind this move – was it related to her connection with Dolly Parton or a rift with her father, Billy Ray Cyrus? However, today, Billy Ray Cyrus took to social media to clarify the situation.
In an Instagram post, Billy Ray shared a throwback photo of himself with his children, explaining that he has always affectionately called Miley just “Miley.” He revealed that Miley was originally named Destiny Hope Cyrus at birth but earned the nickname “Smiley” due to her constant smiling, which eventually evolved into “Miley.”
Billy Ray also highlighted the significance of Dolly Parton in Miley’s life, mentioning that he had introduced Miley to the country music icon, who became her godmother. Both father and daughter have expressed their deep sorrow over Parton’s recent passing.
On the day of Parton’s demise, Billy Ray celebrated his 65th birthday and emphasized the importance of family. He endorsed Miley’s decision to go by a single name, drawing parallels to iconic figures like Dolly and Cher. He described it as a natural evolution for a superstar like Miley.
While this adjustment does not signal an official name change for Miley, it represents a strategic rebranding. Miley’s upcoming album, “Bass Persuades,” is scheduled for release on Sept. 18, accompanied by two highly anticipated concerts at the Hollywood Bowl in October. Sharing her excitement on Instagram, Miley expressed her eagerness to perform in Los Angeles, a place she holds close to her heart.