Navigating the pressures of early stardom is a challenge few truly understand, but Miley Cyrus had a unique safety net: her father was always by her side. In a recent reflection on her career, the pop icon revealed that having Billy Ray Cyrus on set acted as a vital shield against the potential for industry misconduct during her years as a child star.
In a Variety cover story published Wednesday (March 18), Cyrus looked back at the legacy of Hannah Montana as the series prepares to celebrate its 20th anniversary with a special Disney+ event on March 24. The “Flowers” singer explained that her father’s dual role—both as her real-life parent and her on-screen dad, Robby Ray Stewart—provided a level of security that many of her peers lacked.
“My dad was on set every single day, so there was nothing that could happen that he wouldn’t know about,” Cyrus told the publication. She noted that their dressing rooms were physically connected, ensuring she was never isolated or left in a vulnerable position while working.
The Grammy-winning artist also credited her mother, Tish Cyrus, for advocating to keep the family together in Los Angeles. Tish pushed for Billy Ray to be cast in the show to maintain a cohesive family unit. Furthermore, Miley emphasized that because her father was already a successful musician and actor, she never felt the weight of being the family’s financial provider.
“My parents didn’t need me to be famous to survive or to be stable,” she remarked. “What often happens is that parents want the fame more than the kids do, or the child becomes responsible for the family’s entire income. That was never my burden. Every penny I earned was secured for my future because my parents were already established.”
Cyrus’s comments offer a poignant perspective following the 2024 documentary Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV, which uncovered allegations of toxic and predatory environments at Nickelodeon. While many former young actors have shared stories of mistreatment, Cyrus’s experience highlights the importance of parental presence.
Other stars have recently echoed this sentiment. Ariana Grande, a former Nickelodeon star herself, suggested on the Podcrushed podcast that child acting environments must be modernized. “I think there should be therapists on set, and I think parents should be allowed to be wherever they want to be,” Grande stated, advocating for safer industry standards.
