Miley Cyrus makes huge move after changing her name

Miley Cyrus appears to be teasing a new project on social media and fans have spotted a surprising change to her name.

The star has gone by a number of iconic monikers over the decades, from Miley Stewart AKA Hannah Montana to her Black Mirror alter ego Ashley O.

Now, fans have noticed another unexpected update, sparking speculation that new music could be on the way.

The 33-year-old pop icon has seemingly dropped her surname, at least on social media as of Monday (31 August) and is now simply going as ‘Miley’.

The ‘Flowers’ singer has not shared any further details about the update just yet, however, her social media pages have been updated with two new red and black photos of herself alongside the caption ‘MILEY’.

Cyrus signed to Atlantic Records in July after previously releasing music with Columbia and RCA. The move is fuelling speculation that new music is on the horizon.

A new album would be her first since 2025’s Something Beautiful and would mark her 10th release.

She previously teased new music during an interview earlier this year.

“This album is a love story, but love stories are never one-dimensional. They’re always layered,” she shared during a Q&A for Wonderland Magazine. “There is definitely a romantic thread weaving through it because, like all my records, it’s a reflection of where I am in my life. But this one feels especially meaningful because this feeling has stayed with me through multiple eras.”

Miley continued: “That’s something I hadn’t really experienced before. A peaceful kind of love has become a theme across my last three records. Not just the love I share with someone else, but the love I’ve found from myself.”

“Once your relationship with yourself changes, every relationship around you changes too,” she noted. “I think this record celebrates both of those equally.”

The year kicked off with Miley reviving one of her most iconic alter egos, returning to the Disney stage as Hannah Montana to celebrate the beloved show’s 20th anniversary. She celebrated the milestone by performing three hits from the sitcom and the movie, including 'The Best of Both Worlds', 'The Climb' and 'This Is the Life'.

The former Disney Channel star said her late godmother, country music legend Dolly Parton, inspired her to take part in the anniversary special by employing the art of manifestation.

“I just started promoting a Hannah Montana 20th-anniversary special that literally did not exist,” she told Variety. “I learned this terrible habit — but I actually think it was good advice — from Dolly. She told me that if you want something to happen, promote it before it exists. Then no one can say no.”

Miley paid tribute to Parton, who passed away on 25 August. In a touching message shared to Instagram, she said: “The feeling of losing my Aunt Dolly is beyond what feels right to share. Our most sacred moments were private and they’ll stay there behind the stage, beneath the glamour & between our hearts.

“What I KNOW is Dolly would want me to feel it, write a song about it, and then continue on and be strong. I have an angel by my side. I always have. One of our last conversations was about music and metamorphosis.”

She continued: “I will always love her and want to make her proud. My heart breaks for the world, her family and friends who will miss her deeply. We’re in this loss together and we will see her in all of the most beautiful things.”

Remembering Miley Cyrus' many eras

A Disney sensation

Of course, fans of Cyrus will all remember this iconic era of Hannah Montana in the 2000s.

Making her mark as a pop star

Following the Hannah Montana fame, Cyrus made her breakout as a certifiable pop star in her own right thanks, to singles such as '7 Things', 'The Climb', and 'Party in the U.S.A'.

U-turning with Bangerz

I mean, we all remember where we were when Cyrus came out with the Bangerz album in 2013.

She swapped the cute teenage aesthetic for a risqué bleached-blonde pixie cut, dropped hits such as 'Wrecking Ball', and infamously twerked on Robin Thicke at the MTV VMAs.

Rediscovering her country roots

In 2017, Cyrus released Younger Now, which swapped her chaotic 'party girl' era for a much more mellow and stripped back country-pop vibe - something fans absolutely loved.

Embracing glam rock

Cyrus is known for experimenting with not only her music, but with her look too.

Her 2020 album Plastic Hearts was paired with a much more glamorous and bold version of the singer, with The New York Times declaring: "Maybe rock's not dead — it's just in the capable hands of Miley Cyrus."

Self-love with 'Flowers'

2023's 'Flowers' is truly one of the most empowering tracks of the decade, it can be argued, with it turning Cyrus into a Grammy Award winner.

Iconic!