Pop star Miley made waves across social media by dropping her last name, Cyrus, earlier this week, sparking speculation among fans. Some wondered if the change was linked to the passing of her honorary godmother, Dolly Parton, or if there was a rift with her famous father, Billy Ray Cyrus. Others speculated if it was a strategic move ahead of her upcoming album release.

Today, Billy Ray Cyrus took to social media to clarify the situation. In an Instagram post featuring a throwback photo with his children, he revealed that he has always referred to Miley simply as “Miley,” a nickname that originated from her infectious smile as a baby. He reminisced about how he introduced Miley to Dolly Parton, forming a special bond that led to Parton becoming Miley’s godmother.

Both Billy Ray and Miley have publicly mourned the recent loss of Dolly Parton. Billy Ray, who recently turned 65, emphasized the importance of family during this time and expressed support for Miley embracing her first name as a solo artist, drawing parallels to other iconic stars like Dolly and Cher.

While Miley’s decision to drop “Cyrus” from her stage name is seen as a rebrand rather than an official name change, it coincides with the upcoming release of her tenth studio album, “Bass Persuades,” scheduled for September 18. Additionally, Miley has announced two concerts at the Hollywood Bowl in October, marking a significant moment for her to perform in her beloved city of Los Angeles.