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Billy Ray Cyrus has publicly congratulated his daughter Miley Cyrus on her engagement to musician Maxx Morando, marking another hopeful step in their slow but steady reconciliation after years of family strain.
The 64-year-old country star shared a heartfelt Instagram post featuring a throwback photo of himself, Miley and Dolly Parton — Miley's longtime godmother. "No wonder you turned out so special — you have the greatest godmother in the world," Billy Ray wrote, tagging Parton before turning his attention to the newly engaged couple. "So happy you and MaxxAgazillion found each other. Congratulations! Happy to see you both so happy. Love, Dad."
His message followed Page Six's exclusive reveal that Miley, 33, and Morando, 27, were officially engaged after she appeared on the red carpet for the Avatar: Fire and Ash premiere wearing a large gold engagement ring. Morando proposed earlier this year during a trip to Asia with a cushion-cut diamond ring designed by Jacquie Aiche.
Miley later shared on Good Morning America that the proposal was a genuine surprise. "I love to control everything, and I had completely surrendered," she said, adding that her partner "did good" with the ring and the timing.
The pop star and the drummer have been together since late 2021 and have kept most of their relationship private. Still, she has often credited Morando for bringing stability and growth into her life. "You want someone beside you who always tells you you can do it," she said in a recent interview.
The engagement arrives after a complicated period for the Cyrus family. Miley and Billy Ray grew distant in 2022 following her parents' divorce after nearly three decades of marriage. At the time, sources said Miley felt closer to her mother, Tish, and fans later noticed she did not mention her father in her 2024 Grammy speech.
But the father-daughter relationship began thawing earlier this year, with the pair photographed together several times since May. Miley also released a reflective track titled "Secrets," which she described as a peace offering to someone she "had lost for a time but always loved."
As Miley steps into her next chapter with Morando, Billy Ray's public message suggests the family continues moving toward healing — together.
