Miley Cyrus says Billy Ray taught her to ‘keep going’ despite his absence at Walk of Fame
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Singer and actress Miley Cyrus gave an emotional shoutout to her father Billy Ray Cyrus despite his absence from the ceremony honoring her with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Friday, May 22.
The emotional moment drew attention as Miley publicly acknowledged her father years after the pair experienced a family fallout following Billy Ray and Tish Cyrus’ 2022 divorce. Miley had notably left him out of her 2024 Grammy speeches, fueling speculation about tensions within the family.
Miley Cyrus honors Billy Ray Cyrus during Walk of Fame speech
During the ceremony, Miley reflected on advice her father had given her in the past. She told the audience that Billy Ray used to say, “A skyscraper starts with a jackhammer,” before adding, “And a star on the Walk of Fame starts the same way.”
Miley explained that success “is not about how hard you can hit, but how many times you can get hit and keep going,” later describing the honor as “an accumulation of devotion.” Actress Anya Taylor-Joy and designer Donatella Versace were also present to support Miley during the ceremony.
The moment stood out because Miley and Billy Ray had experienced tensions in recent years. In 2025, Miley revealed on the 'Reclaiming' podcast that parts of the family had stopped speaking to one another at one point.
However, she later shared that she had raised a “white flag” in an effort to reunite the family. She also reunited with Billy Ray in May 2025 during her brother Braison Cyrus’ birthday celebration, later describing the gathering on social media as filled with “peace” and “healing.”
The 33-year-old also reflected on the unwavering support she received from her loved ones, including fiance Maxx Morando, whom she got engaged to in 2025 after four years of dating, as she marked the major career milestone.
“This is where it gets me," the 'Last Song' actress said on the Walk of Fame while holding back tears, "to my family, my future family, my parents, my mom, my siblings, my friends, my collaborators: Thank you for loving and supporting not only the choices that I make, but my fears, and then facing them with me."
Miley Cyrus reflects on dedicating 'Secrets' to Billy Ray Cyrus
Last September, Miley released her song 'Secrets' and dedicated it to Billy Ray, previously describing the gesture as a “peace offering” following years of estrangement between them.
In an interview for CBS News' 'Sunday Morning,' news correspondent Tracy Smith asked the pop superstar how her father reacted when she gave him the song, which also served as a birthday gift for his 64th birthday in August.
“My dad cried,” she told Smith, “everyone I say that to, they go, ‘I remember when my dad cried. You don't see your dad cry a lot," adding that it’s something “you remember,” whether they are “happy tears or painful tears.”
Miley further shared, “I don't know if I've seen my dad cry since his dad passed away. My dad, you know, I just haven't really seen that.”
The singer also reflected on the emotional impact of the track, which features 'Fleetwood Mac’s' Lindsey Buckingham and Mick Fleetwood, saying it carried “mixed emotions, because there's things that for us — me and my dad — we just kind of moved forward.”
Miley explained, “We didn't feel that there needed to be a whole conversation, because him and I just communicate better through song, And so once he got the song, it feels like it said something in a couple of minutes that would have taken, you know, maybe a family with a more structured, therapeutic dynamic a lot of sessions.”
