Billy Ray Cyrus reacts to Miley dropping her surname

Billy Ray Cyrus has shared his thoughts on his daughter Miley dropping her surname.

The pop star recently announced her new album ‘Bass Persuades‘ (pre-order/pre-save here) – along with the news that she would be going forward known only as Miley.

Though the reason behind the singer’s name change remains unknown, father and country singer Billy Ray Cyrus has given his thoughts on Miley’s rebrand.

“Family means more than ever now. I always called my little girl Miley. Just … Miley,” he wrote on Instagram. “Just like I always called my little boy Braison.”

Adding that he was once known simply as ‘CYRUS’ before his hit single ‘Achy Breaky Heart’ was released in 1992, Billy Ray wrote that he told the singer that “I felt good about her going with her first name”. He cited mononymous icon Cher and Miley’s late godmother and country legend Dolly Parton as examples, along with Elvis Presley and Prince.

“It’s a natural progression for an iconic superstar legend,” he concluded. “And the legend continues! Looking forward to the new album.”

‘Bass Persuades’ will mark Miley’s 10th studio album, and is due for release September 18. It will be the singer’s first release through Atlantic Records.

On social media, Miley said of the new 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 album, Miley will perform two shows at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on October 16 and 18. Model/Actriz will support the singer on the night.

It will mark a rare pair of shows from Miley, who said last year that she still had no “desire” to tour. Touring, she explained at the time, made it difficult to maintain her mental wellbeing: “I do have the physical ability and I have the opportunities to tour… I wish I had the desire, but I don’t.”

General sale commences at 10am on September 10 – get your tickets here.

Elsewhere, Miley has shared a personal tribute to her godmother Dolly Parton, who passed away at the age of 80 on August 25.