Billy Ray Cyrus has spoken out regarding his daughter Miley’s decision to drop her surname and perform under a single name.
The pop icon recently announced her upcoming album, ‘Bass Persuades,’ while simultaneously revealing that she will henceforth be known simply as Miley. While the specific motivations behind the rebranding have not been disclosed, Billy Ray Cyrus shared his supportive perspective on the transition via Instagram.
“Family means more than ever now. I always called my little girl Miley. Just … Miley,” he wrote. “Just like I always called my little boy Braison.”
Recalling his own early career, Billy Ray noted that he was known simply as ‘CYRUS’ prior to the 1992 release of his hit “Achy Breaky Heart.” He expressed his approval of his daughter’s new direction, drawing parallels to other legendary mononymous artists such as Cher, Prince, Elvis Presley, and Miley’s late godmother, the legendary Dolly Parton.
“It’s a natural progression for an iconic superstar legend,” he added. “And the legend continues! Looking forward to the new album.”
‘Bass Persuades’ will serve as Miley’s tenth studio album and is scheduled for release on September 18. This project marks her debut release under Atlantic Records.
Reflecting on the new material via social media, Miley described the emotional depth of the record: “Music takes hold of us. We feel it, sing it, sometimes dance to it, let it out and carry on. It is powerful, vulnerable, sweet and strong. Heart full, heartache, every part of life in between. That’s what the title means to me. Thank you for being a part of making my wildest dreams come true. I sincerely hope you love this album.”
To celebrate the launch, Miley is set to perform two special shows at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on October 16 and 18, with support from Model/Actriz.
These performances represent a rare live appearance for the singer, who noted last year that she lacked the desire to embark on a full-scale tour due to the impact of travel on her mental wellbeing. She previously explained that while she possesses the physical capability and opportunity to tour, she prefers to prioritize her health.
Additionally, Miley recently shared a moving personal tribute to her godmother, Dolly Parton, following her passing at age 80 on August 25.
