Miley Cyrus has addressed the rumours of estrangement from her father Billy Ray while opening up about her family dynamic.
The ‘Flowers’ pop star sat down with David Letterman for the latest episode of his Netflix talk show My Next Guest Needs No Introduction, which premiered on the platform yesterday (June 12).
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At one point on the show, Letterman directly asked Cyrus: “There’s not estrangement here with your father – it’s just the way things are played?”
She responded (via Billboard): “Yeah. I think what is so beautiful is that my parents, they served their children. My parents served us and sacrificed so much for us. Anything we dreamed of, they made possible.”
Speaking about her dad, the singer explained: “I’m grateful for being able to watch him ahead of me. He’s almost given me this map. And there’s a map of what to do and what not to do, and he’s guided me on both […] I also inherited the narcissism from my father.”
Cyrus also spoke about the differences between her mother, Tish Cyrus, and her dad. The former couple finalised their divorce in 2022 after 30 years of marriage. They share a son Braison, 30, and a daughter Noah, 24, in addition to Miley.
“My dad, as a creative and as an artist in the way that his brain works, has always made me feel safer in my own mind because we’re very similar in our ideas,” Miley continued.
“So I think a lot of his perspective on reality and on life, I’ve inherited from him, more so than the way that I was raised – which really, my mom raised me. Honestly, my mom is my hero.”
Both Billy and Tish have remarried since their separation. However, Miley’s dad filed to divorce 37-year-old singer-songwriter Firerose this week – just seven months after tying the knot.
As The Independent notes, Miley appeared to snub her father when accepting the award for Record Of The Year at the Grammys 2024 in February.
“I want to thank everyone that’s standing on this stage right now: Tom, Tyler, Michael, and Greg,” she said. “Our teams, my team, Crush, Columbia, my mommy, my sister, my love, my main gays because look how good I look.”
Miley added: “I don’t think I forgot anyone. But I may have forgotten underwear. Bye!”
Billy Ray recently posted a throwback photo of himself and Miley on Instagram. In the caption, he said he was “incredibly proud” of her: “She’s a survivor and a true artist. She learned early on to love and appreciate the fans who make everything possible.
“We both cherish the connection we have with our fans and are grateful for every single one of you! Hope you all have a great Friday! Now rock the country!!!”
Last year, Miley served as a bridesmaid at her mother’s wedding – which was also attended by her older siblings Brandi and Trace. However, Noah and Braison were not present at the ceremony.
Miley released the emotional standalone single ‘Used To Be Young’ on her father’s birthday (August 25) in 2023.
Last October, Noah accused Miley of “disrespect” amid reports of an ongoing family feud. It came after a clip of Miley’s 2020 interview with Joe Rogan resurfaced, where she spoke about how Noah had grown up in her shadow.
In 2019, Billy Ray and Lil Nas X joined Miley on stage at Glastonbury Festival to perform their mega-hit ‘Old Town Road’.
In other news, last month saw Miley Cyrus release her synth-drenched cover of Talking Heads’ ‘Psycho Killer’.
