Miley Cyrus experienced profound “shock” following her victories at the 2024 Grammys. However, her decision to exclude her father, Billy Ray Cyrus, from her acceptance speech seems deliberate.
“I had all the perfect things to say but none of them could come out in this moment of shock,” Miley, 31, wrote via Instagram on Monday, February 5, sharing her extended speech. “I’m happy they didn’t … because (thankfully) prepared perfection just isn’t my story. Life is so much more exciting this way.”
Initially, Miley acknowledged her mother, Tish Cyrus, her eldest sister, Brandi Cyrus, and her boyfriend, Maxx Morando, during her acceptance speech on Sunday, February 4, after securing Record of the Year for her track “Flowers.” Notably absent were mentions of her father, Billy Ray, 62, and her other siblings, Trace, Braison, and Noah Cyrus.
Following her Best Pop Solo Performance win at the awards show, Miley hinted on Monday that her concise acknowledgment of loved ones was intentional. She took to social media to spotlight her main inspirations, once more omitting her father and three out of her four siblings.
“To my mommy @tishcyruspurcell I love you more than anything in the entire universe,” Miley wrote after the event. “My family, @brandicyrus thank you for being there like always.”
The musician paid tribute to her godmother, Dolly Parton, in her speech, expressing, “I felt your fairy dust everywhere (I put a little extra in my hair, could you tell?!).” Miley also acknowledged her “lover, my momos” Morando, 25, alongside her friends and collaborators on her Endless Summer Vacation album.
She praised her “team,” including her glam squad, before expressing gratitude towards her various record company partners.
“I celebrate my fans above all else. No award means as much to me as the years we’ve spent together. You SAW me before this recognition. I never needed it because I HAVE YOU,” Miley gushed. “A day doesn’t pass that I don’t spend at least a moment thanking heaven for sending me such supportive earth angels. I love you with my entire heart. To many more years together.”
In addition to her inner circle and fans, Miley expressed gratitude towards Mariah Carey “for being so iconic.” Carey, 54, presented Miley with her first Grammy trophy on Sunday, leaving Miley starstruck in the moment.
“This MC is going to stand by this MC for this, because this is just too iconic,” Miley told the audience at Crypto.com Arena during the awards show. “I just saw you at the Hollywood Bowl, it was everything.”
When Miley returned to the stage to accept the Record of the Year award, she was once again taken aback by the honor.
“Thank you all so much. This award is amazing. But I really hope that it does not change anything. Because my life was beautiful yesterday,” she said, naming cowriters and producers Thomas “Kid Harpoon” Hull, Michael Pollack, Brian Rajaratnam and Mark “Spike” Stent.
Miley then listed off her mom, 54, boyfriend, and older sister Brandi, 36, as her special thank-yous. “I don’t think I forgot anyone, but I might have forgotten underwear. Bye,” she concluded. The former Hannah Montana star’s omission of her dad was even more noticeable as Billy Ray was present at the Grammys.
Miley and Billy Ray have seemingly been at odds over the past year, particularly after Billy Ray married Firerose and Tish wed Dominic Purcell in 2023.
Billy Ray and Tish divorced in April 2022 after nearly 30 years of marriage. The exes share three children: Miley, Braison, 29, and Noah, 24. Additionally, Billy Ray adopted Tish’s eldest children, Brandi and Trace, 34, when they got married in 1993.
Miley seemed to support her mom’s new relationship, attending Tish’s wedding with Brandi and Trace last August. However, Noah and Braison skipped the event. Billy Ray married Firerose, 34, in October.
“Tish will always love her kids no matter what,” a source exclusively told Us in August 2023. “She understands divorce might be challenging especially when she and Billy Ray had been together for so long.”
A second insider mentioned that Tish is “sad the family are at odds over her and Billy Ray’s respective romances,” but she “hopes it will ride itself out over time.
“Amid swirling rumors of a family feud, a representative for the group denied any issues. “Noah and Tish’s reps have spoken and can categorically confirm that this ‘source’ is absolutely false, and not from anyone close to the family,” the Cyrus family representative stated in a response to Us in August 2023. “The family is shocked and hurt by the false narrative taking shape on both social media and in the press and ask that everyone please respect their need for privacy at this time.”
