Miley Cyrus is embarking on an exciting new chapter in her musical career with the release of her tenth studio album, titled *Bass Persuades*. Notably, the pop star has chosen to drop the Cyrus familial name for this project, a move that has garnered the full support of her father, Billy Ray Cyrus. The country music legend praised Miley, drawing comparisons to iconic musicians who are known by their first names alone, such as Cher and Prince.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/BILLY-RAY-CYRUS-miley2-f882f5597b9d42e3b18b539f9f1d8201.jpg)
On 2 September, the elder Cyrus took to Instagram to express his sentiments regarding Miley’s decision. He shared a nostalgic photograph of a young Miley alongside her brother, Braison, which served as a touching reminder of their family’s bond. “Family means more than ever now. I always called my little girl Miley. Just … Miley,” he wrote, reinforcing the significance of that name in their lives.
Miley, now 33, has a long history with her moniker, having been born Destiny Hope Cyrus. As a child, she earned the nickname “Smiley,” which was later shortened to Miley. This new release marks a return to that moniker at a pivotal moment in her career. Her father also reflected on his own journey, recalling that prior to his breakthrough hit “Achy Breaky Heart” in 1992, he was simply known as “Cyrus.”
Billy Ray Cyrus shared that he had discussed her decision with her just a day prior, further conveying his approval. He noted the trend of legendary artists who have successfully thrived using only their first names. “It’s a natural progression for an iconic superstar legend,” he said, displaying his enthusiasm for Miley’s new direction.
The country singer couldn’t resist a dose of humour about his own career, musing that had his record label let him go by just “Cyrus,” he might have achieved even greater things. His light-hearted commentary underscores the deep-rooted familial support that exists between him and Miley as she forges her path forward.
The announcement of *Bass Persuades* came on 1 September, with the album set to be released on 18 September. This forthcoming project follows her previous album, *Something Beautiful*, released in 2025. Miley described her latest work as a “layered love story,” designed to reflect her personal and romantic evolution, resonating with her audience on an emotional level.
In her own words shared on Instagram, Miley elaborated on the album’s themes, highlighting the powerful and vulnerable nature of music that speaks to various life experiences. “Heart full, heartache, every part of life in between,” she expressed, underscoring her commitment to weaving authentic narratives throughout her work.
Miley previously revealed in a July interview that this album is imbued with the nuances of love—both romantic and self-love—which she highlighted as a fundamental component of her personal growth. “Once your relationship with yourself changes, every relationship around you changes too,” she stated, reflecting a pivotal lesson she has embraced throughout her life and career.
With the release of *Bass Persuades* just around the corner, Miley is also set to perform at two shows at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on 16 and 18 October. This marks yet another exciting milestone in her career, as she continues to evolve as an artist while staying true to her roots.
As she prepares to unveil this new chapter, it is clear that Miley Cyrus is ready to make her mark on the music world once again—this time, simply as Miley. Her father’s approval and support stand as a testament to the strong family bonds at play, setting the stage for what promises to be an impactful release.