In this week's PEOPLE cover story on her dad Billy Ray, Miley Cyrus says music has always been a way for her family to communicate and express their feelings
Cyrus collaborated with his son Braison and daughter Noah on The Hill, his first album in 14 years
The Hill will be available everywhere June 16
Miley Cyrus hails from a musical family—and she knows it.
For this week's PEOPLE cover story on her dad Billy Ray Cyrus, Miley opens up about how music keeps the pair bonded.
“It's really the way we communicate. Whether it's sending a song we wrote in a text or writing a poem that says how we feel in a way that's authentic to us, it's always been the way we share our feelings,” says the Grammy-winning superstar, 33.
Miley Cyrus and Billy Ray Cyrus at the Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special, March 2026.
Miley Cyrus and Billy Ray Cyrus at the Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special, March 2026.
Miley's brother, Braison, agrees. He produced and helped co-write Cyrus' album The Hill—the first new record from the country veteran in 14 years.
“My dad communicates a lot through music, and I think that that's something we've had to learn collectively," Braison says. “I feel like he did ‘try again' by making this record with me."
After enduring hospitalization and voice issues in 2024 as well as previously-strained relationships with his kids, Cyrus says “life is a series of adjustments, and I think my family always knew that. We've all been through a lot, and we've seen a lot. Whatever happened is in the rearview mirror."
BILLY RAY CYRUS PEOPLE COVER
BILLY RAY CYRUS PEOPLE COVER
So, while Cyrus may joke that he was “never going to be parent of the year,” his pride in the adults his children have grown up to be is apparent.
“What Miley said about how we communicate through music and poetry—that's very honest," he adds. And for daughter Noah, bonding with Cyrus happens during quality time out of the spotlight.
“My dad's farm that we grew up on is such a sacred place,” she says. “It's a huge reconnecting and energetic force that brings us all back home.”
Noah duets with her dad on The Hill track "On Our Way Along," and Cyrus joined Miley to tape Disney+'s Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special in February.
“All these years later it's going back to our roots as a family,” Cyrus says. “And to be in this moment with them, it's just a great celebration of our family.”
“I'm so proud of him,” adds Noah.
Braison Cyrus, Noah Cyrus and Billy Ray Cyrus pose for a portrait backstage during the 2026 Stagecoach Festival at Empire Polo Club on April 24, 2026 in Indio, California.
Braison Cyrus, Noah Cyrus and Billy Ray Cyrus pose for a portrait backstage during the 2026 Stagecoach Festival at Empire Polo Club on April 24, 2026 in Indio, California.
In terms of the actual album production, Braison says sharing the experience with his dad was exciting.
"We got to say ‘Hey, we're not trying to make a record that's super commercial, super gung-ho country' but really got to experiment and play with more storytelling aspects," he says.
Miley picked up on the album's ethos, too.
“I love seeing my dad lean into his Johnny Cash voice. He's been the North Star for my dad his entire life, so I'm proud to see my brother Braison write songs that lean him into that lane,” she says.
For more on Billy Ray Cyrus, pick up the latest issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands everywhere now.