WASHINGTON — Billy Ray Cyrus voiced support Thursday for his daughter Miley Cyrus after she dropped her last name from her social media accounts and website and adopted “Miley” as her stage name.
The country singer shared his reaction on Instagram Sept. 3, days after Miley made the change. She will also use “Miley” as her music credit for her upcoming album, Bass Persuades.
“I always called my little girl Miley,” Billy Ray wrote, recalling that he has always used the first names of his children when addressing them.
Billy Ray also said he spoke with Miley Wednesday after learning about her decision. He compared the move with artists who became widely known through a single name, including Elvis, Cher, Prince and Miley’s godmother and mentor, Dolly Parton.
“It’s a natural progression for an iconic superstar legend,” he wrote.
Billy Ray also revealed that he once considered performing under the single name “CYRUS” before his 1990s hit “Achy Breaky Heart” propelled him to fame. His record label instead used “Billy Ray Cyrus.”
“Now … if Mercury / Polygram would have just not insisted on the ‘Billy Ray’ part and just let me be CYRUS … I could have done something!” he wrote.
Miley, born Destiny Hope Cyrus, rose to fame through Disney Channel’s Hannah Montana before building a music career of her own. Billy Ray also appeared on the show and later gained renewed attention through his appearance on Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road” remix.