Miley Cyrus‘ dad, Billy Ray Cyrus, was by her side for years during her rise to fame, starring as her character Miley Stewart’s dad on Hannah Montana, but that wasn’t his first brush with fame.
Miley Cyrus Reflects On Relationship With Her Father Billy Ray Cyrus
Billy Ray Cyrus was a successful country singer when his daughter was born, which meant that Miley grew up surrounded by the music business, something she reflected on in her new Hulu special Endless Summer Vacation: Continued (Backyard Sessions).
“When I was born, my dad had the No. 1 country song,” Miley said in the special, referencing 1992’s “Achy Breaky Heart” before reflecting on her own career success. “When I see the numbers, I just see the humans behind it enjoying the music, and I just see people in numbers. A number doesn’t change who I am.”
She further explained how her upbringing was worlds apart from her dad’s thanks to his career and their family.
“My dad grew up the opposite of me. I grew up on a soundstage, like, in a house with a family that was super close and all lived under the same roof, and I grew up financially stable and emotionally stable, I think, in my relationships also,” she said. “That’s something that my dad didn’t have.”
“Me And My Dad’s Relationship To Fame And Success Is Wildly Different”
The 30-year-old noted that she has seen people around her go from “having nothing to everything” and that it can be a “really dangerous place.”
“I think that’s where me and my dad’s relationship to fame and success is wildly different,” she reflected. “Him feeling loved by a big audience impacted him emotionally more than it ever could me. When he feels special or important, it’s like healing a childhood wound, and I’ve always been made to feel like a star. It makes me emotional, so I think that’s the difference.”
On Hannah Montana, Billy Ray’s character was also a musician, which meant that he and his daughter got to duet on multiple songs and perform together often.
“I do have a lot of great memories singing music with my dad and learning and watching his voice and the way that he’s using the instrument,” Miley said, adding, “I will say that I feel vocally my dad was underappreciated.”
“Used To Be Young”
The Hulu special arrived in tandem with Miley’s newest song, “Used To Be Young,” which she wrote with Michael Pollack and Aldae and finds the singer reflecting on a hard-partying past.
In a post on X, Miley explained that “Used To Be Young” “is about honoring who we’ve been, loving who we are & celebrating who we will become. I feel proud when reflecting on my past and joyful when thinking about the future.”
She also dedicated the reflective track to her fans.
“I am grateful to my loyal fans who make my dreams a reality daily,” she wrote. “I am sincerely thankful for the stability of your steadfast support. This song is for you.
New Single Follows Release Of Miley’s Album, Endless Summer Vacation
In an additional post, the Tennessee native revealed that she wrote the song almost two years ago while working on her latest album, Endless Summer Vacation.
“It was at a time I felt misunderstood,” she wrote. “I have spent the last 18 months painting a sonic picture of my perspective to share with you. The time has arrived to release a song that I could perfect forever. Although my work is done, this song will continue to write itself everyday. The fact it remains unfinished is a part of its beauty. That is my life at this moment ….. unfinished yet complete.”
