Here's What Billy Ray Cyrus Was Up to While Daughter Miley Cyrus Attended “Hannah Montana” Anniversary Special Premiere
Here's What Billy Ray Cyrus Was Up to While Daughter Miley Cyrus Attended “Hannah Montana” Anniversary Special Premiere
Rachel DeSantisTue, March 24, 2026 at 7:21 PM UTC
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Miley Cyrus at the Hannah Montana special premiere on March 23, 2026; Billy Ray Cyrus in the studio in NashvilleCredit: Amy Sussman/Getty; Billy Ray Cyrus/Instagram -
Billy Ray Cyrus missed the Hannah Montana 20th anniversary premiere to work on music with kids Noah and Braison in Nashville
Miley Cyrus attended the event with her mom Tish, sister Brandi and fiancé Maxx Morando
Billy Ray appears in the special alongside Miley and reflects on their bond and auditioning for the show together
When Hannah Montana’s 20th anniversary special premiered in Los Angeles on Monday, March 23, there was one familiar face missing from the guest list: Billy Ray Cyrus.
The country star, who played daughter Miley Cyrus’s on-screen dad in the beloved Disney Channel series, appears in the special itself. But in an Instagram post, he revealed that he was hard at work in Nashville on premiere night.
“Been in the studio all night in Nashville working on my new record with my youngins Braison and Noah preparing for our @todayshow performance Good Friday!” he captioned his post. “Dang feels like this is my ‘Sweet Niblets’ Sweet 16 on the road to the Final Four!”
“Sweet niblets” was a phrase often used by Billy Ray, 64, and his daughter, 33, on Hannah Montana, which aired for four seasons from 2006 to 2011.
Miley held down the fort at the L.A. premiere, and attended with mom Tish, 58, sister Brandi, 38, and fiancé Maxx Morando, 27.
Billy Ray — who played Robby Ray Stewart in the series —appears in the special on a set recreation of the Stewart characters’ house alongside Miley.
Miley told host Alex Cooper that she was “really excited” to have her dad join her, “because I know how much our relationship means to everyone that watched the show.
Miley Cyrus (center) with her sister Brandi and mom Tish on March 23, 2026 in L.A.Credit: Amy Sussman/Getty
“I think that when me and my dad are good, people, they feel better,” she said, referring to past family drama that they’ve since worked through. “It just feels good when the Cyruses are getting along.”
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During the special, Billy Ray reminisces about auditioning for the show with his daughter, and how he wanted the person who tried out for his part before him to get the role.
"You were always the guy trying to give the other guy the job," Miley tells the "Achy Breaky Heart" singer. "Well, I'm glad you were the dad."
Billy Ray replies that he "couldn't change it if I tried to."
Miley Cyrus and Billy Ray Cyrus in the Hannah Montana specialCredit: Disney+
"This was meant for us. We went and did our handshake, we sang together," Miley adds, as the duo tries to attempt their handshake on-screen.
Billy Ray previously promoted the special several times on his Instagram account, writing in February that “Robby Ray’s still the proudest dad in the world.”
The musician often celebrates his children’s achievements on Instagram. On March 14, he marked the release of Braison’s new album From Now On, and the next day, shared a photo of himself with Braison, 31, and Noah, 26, at Braison’s album release event. In the shot, Noah rocked a vintage Billy Ray T-shirt.
“Had one of those nights that reminds you what really matters,” he captioned his post. “Got to sit back and watch my kids do their thing on stage at the @franklintheatre … and man, they brought it!!! So proud of them. Not just as their dad... but as a fan.”
He noted in his Instagram that a new song, "On Our Way Along," is set for release on April 3.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
