Billy Ray Cyrus Supports Daughter’s Decision to Drop Surname

The singer addressed the shift on Instagram, describing the change as a natural progression for a performer of her stature. He noted that he felt positive about the transition, framing it as an authentic move for an artist whose career began under the shadow of the Hannah Montana character. The affirmation arrives shortly before the September 18, 2026, release of her tenth studio album, Bass Persuades, a project the artist describes as an exploration of life’s varied emotional landscapes.

Beyond her musical output, the singer is preparing to headline her first solo shows in years, with two upcoming dates at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles this October. The transition follows a period of personal reflection for the artist, who recently mourned the death of her godmother, Dolly Parton. Despite the historically turbulent nature of the father-daughter relationship—which Billy Ray once famously lamented in a 2011 GQ interview regarding the pressures of their shared time on television—this latest public exchange suggests a moment of alignment between the two.