Miley Cyrus drops last name after years-long public family feud with father Billy Ray
Miley Cyrus drops last name after years-long public family feud with father Billy Ray
Kathleen O'BoyleWed, September 2, 2026 at 12:23 AM UTC
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Miley Cyrus drops her father's last name -Credit:Reach Publishing Services Limited
Miley Cyrus appears to be leaving her last name behind as she prepares for her next musical era, following years of public family drama involving her father, country singer Billy Ray Cyrus.
The singer, 33, unveiled what appears to be artwork for her highly anticipated 10th studio album in an August 31 Instagram post, but the image was not the only change. Cyrus also dropped her famous surname from her social media presence and captioned the post simply, “MILEY.” Her website and social media accounts now similarly use just “Miley.”
Miley and Billy Ray have had a complicated relationship for years, with their estrangement becoming especially public after her parents’ divorce in 2022. However, the tension between father and daughter had reportedly been building for much longer, dating back to the end of the Hannah Montana era and the complicated family dynamics surrounding it.
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The father and daughter eventually appeared to repair their relationship in early 2025. Billy Ray later joined Miley onstage for her Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special, marking a notable public reunion between the two.
Still, Miley’s decision to now present herself professionally as simply “Miley” has sparked speculation about whether the move is connected to her family history or is simply part of her latest artistic rebrand. She has not publicly explained why she removed “Cyrus.”
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The name change also comes as Miley begins a new chapter with Atlantic Records. Her 2025 album, Something Beautiful, was her final project with Sony Music’s Columbia Records after five years with the label. She signed with Atlantic earlier this year, making her upcoming album the first project of this new record deal.
Although Cyrus has yet to formally announce the album or its release date, she has already spoken about what fans can expect from the project. In a recent interview with actress Daryl Hannah for Wonderland, Cyrus described the album as a “love story” that explores more than just romantic relationships. “This album is a love story, but love stories are never one-dimensional. They’re always layered,” she told Hannah. “There is definitely a romantic thread weaving through it because, like all my records, it’s a reflection of where I am in my life. But this one feels especially meaningful because this feeling has stayed with me through multiple eras.”
“That’s something I hadn’t really experienced before,” she added. “A peaceful kind of love has become a theme across my last three records. Not just the love I share with someone else, but the love I’ve found for myself.”
Cyrus, who became engaged to musician Maxx Morando in 2025, said the project reflects a personal “evolution” as well. “Once your relationship with yourself changes, every relationship around you changes too. I think this record celebrates both of those equally,” she shared.
This comes after the loss of Miley's Aunt Dolly Parton -Credit:AP Photo/Matt Sayles
The new era follows the release of Something Beautiful in May 2025 and Younger You, which Cyrus released in March as part of the Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special.
The timing of the new chapter also comes shortly after the death of Cyrus’ godmother, Dolly Parton. Parton died at age 80 on August 25, 2026, following a brief battle with cancer. The country music icon had been closely connected to the Cyrus family for decades and became Miley’s godmother after Billy Ray asked her to take on the role in 1992.
Miley often referred to Parton as “Aunt Dolly,” and the two shared both a personal and professional relationship. Parton appeared on Hannah Montana and collaborated with Miley on several musical performances over the years.
Following Parton’s death, Miley paid tribute to her godmother, calling the loss deeply personal while saying that their most meaningful moments remained private.
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
