Pop singer Miley caused a stir recently when she removed “Cyrus” from her social media handles. Speculations arose about the reason behind this change. Some wondered if it was related to her close relationship with Dolly Parton or a fallout with her father, Billy Ray Cyrus. Others speculated if it tied into her upcoming album release.

Today, Billy Ray Cyrus took to social media to address the confusion. He shared a heartfelt post on Instagram, reminiscing about how he always referred to his daughter as “Miley.” Originally named Destiny Hope Cyrus, she earned the nickname “Smiley” from her father due to her constant smiles, eventually shortened to Miley.

Billy Ray Cyrus also revealed that he introduced Miley to Dolly Parton, who became a significant figure in her life as a godmother. Both Billy Ray and Miley have openly expressed their grief over Parton’s recent passing.

On the day of Dolly Parton’s death, Billy Ray Cyrus turned 65 and emphasized the importance of family, supporting Miley’s decision to use her first name professionally. He likened this move to iconic stars like Dolly, Cher, Elvis, and Prince, suggesting it signifies Miley’s evolution as a superstar without officially changing her name.

Miley’s upcoming album, “Bass Persuades,” is set for release on Sept. 18, with two scheduled concerts at the Hollywood Bowl in October. Excited about performing in Los Angeles, Miley shared her sentiments on Instagram, expressing her love for the city and the upcoming performances.