Why Billy Ray Cyrus Missed the ‘Hannah Montana’ 20th Anniversary Premiere

On Monday night in Los Angeles, Miley Cyrus gathered with friends, family, fans and fellow co-stars of her early 2000s Disney Channel series, Hannah Montana, to celebrate the premiere of the show’s 20^th Anniversary special. However, fans noticed that there was one important person who was absent from the premiere, Cyrus’ father, Billy Ray Cyrus.

A new social media post from the “Achy Breaky Heart” singer make it seem as though he traded the premiere for some time in the studio in Nashville to work on his next album. His new era of music also includes help from his son Braison and daughter Noah, who will be joining him on their father-daughter duet, “On Our Way Along,” dropping April 3.

His caption read, “Been in the studio all night in Nashville working on my new record with my youngins Braison and Noah preparing for our @todayshow performance on Good Friday! Dang feels like this is my “Sweet Niblets“ Sweet 16 on the road to the Final Four!”

The heartfelt song, “On Our Way Along,” is reportedly being produced by Braison Cyrus and Ryan Rasmussen while Noah lends her vocals.

Been in the studio all night in Nashville working on my new record with my youngins Braison and Noah preparing for our Today Show performance on Good Friday! Dang feels like this is my “Sweet Niblets“ Sweet 16 on the road to the Final Four!

On Our Way Along | April 3… pic.twitter.com/VIYS4roQ3c

— Billy Ray Cyrus (@billyraycyrus) March 24, 2026

Billy Ray’s absence from the red carpet was noticeable especially after fans spotted him in the trailer for the special that dropped today, March 24 on Disney+. The singer played a prominent role in the show as Miley Cyrus’ father, Robby Ray Stewart, and although he did not make an appearance at the premiere, he did offer a sweet message to his daughter when the announcement dropped.

“Robby Ray’s still the proudest dad in the world,” he wrote.

Best of both worlds. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/j2Pr5f4VPk

— Billy Ray Cyrus (@billyraycyrus) March 17, 2026

Disney Channel’s hit series, which ran from 2006 to 2011, followed Miley Stewart (Miley Cyrus), a teenager leading a double life as pop star Hannah Montana and trying to balance fame with a desire for normalcy. Two decades later, Miley returned to a recreated Hannah Montana soundstage to film a special, joined by guest stars including “Call Her Daddy” podcast host Alex Cooper, Selena Gomez, and Chappell Roan.

Billy Ray wasn’t the only member of the Cyrus family that did not attend the premiere. Miley posed on the red carpet alongside her mom, Tish Cyrus, and older sister, Brandi, before being joined by their respective partners, Maxx Morando, Dominic Purcell and Matt Southcombe. Miley’s sister Noah, as well as brothers Trace, Christopher and Braison were not present either.

Fans were excited to see several of Miley’s co-stars walk the red carpet, including Jason Earles, Moisés Arias, Shanica Knowles, Anna Maria Perez de Tagle and Cody Linley. However, the other two main characters who completed Miley’s friend trio, Emily Osment and Mitchel Musso were not there.

The “Best of Both Worlds” pop star stepped out in a glamorous silver dress, featuring a piece of her “Hannah Montana” character, Miley Stewart’s merch. She also completed the look with a blonde wig to truly embrace her former character.

Even though Billy Ray was not at the premiere, fans can still catch him in today’s special that is now available for streaming on Disney+. Additionally, he will unveil his father-daughter duet next month, marking the first taste of his first full-length album in 14 years. The project is slated to drop sometime this summer.