Miley Cyrus appears to be entering a bold new era, and this time she may be leaving one very famous part of her identity behind.
The 33-year-old singer has quietly revamped her official website, redirecting visitors from her longtime Miley Cyrus address to a new domain, mileyofficial.com, where she is now presented simply as "MILEY."
The striking change hasn't gone unnoticed by fans, particularly as it coincides with a mysterious new campaign that appears to suggest something big is on the horizon.
On Sunday, Miley added fuel to the speculation when she returned to Instagram with a dramatic, caption-free close-up of her face. Only the singer's smoky eyes are visible, illuminated by an intense strip of red light.
© Getty ImagesThe imagery mirrors her newly redesigned website, which has adopted the same moody red-and-black aesthetic and now invites fans to sign up for further information.
Naturally, Miley's followers immediately began trying to decipher the clues. "I can't wait," one excited fan wrote, while another declared: "She is coming."
"I'm ready," added a third, while another demanded: "Show it to me, Miley."
Is Miley Cyrus now simply 'Miley'?
The most intriguing change, however, is that her famous surname appears to have disappeared entirely from the new branding. It is important to note that Miley has not announced that she is officially changing her professional name. For now, the single-name "Miley" could simply be part of the branding surrounding her next musical project, or perhaps even its title.
If she does decide to permanently embrace her first name professionally, she would join a select group of music superstars instantly recognizable by a single name, including Cher, Adele, Beyoncé and Kylie.
© Variety via Getty ImagesIntriguingly, it isn't the first time Miley has considered distancing herself from the Cyrus name. More than a decade ago, around the release of Bangerz in 2013, she publicly toyed with the idea of becoming known simply as Miley as she sought to establish an adult identity away from her Disney past. Thirteen years later, she may finally be ready to do it.
Mysterious billboards spark new album speculation
The website isn't the only clue that something is coming. Mysterious Spotify billboards appeared around New York earlier this month featuring a close-up of an eye bathed in the same distinctive red-and-black lighting alongside the tantalizing words: "COMING SOON."
No artist's name appeared on the advertisements, but fans quickly became convinced the eye belonged to Miley. Adding weight to the theory, people within Miley's creative circle subsequently shared images of the campaign.
© Penske Media via Getty ImagesNow that Miley has shared virtually identical imagery herself, it seems increasingly clear that the billboards, Instagram post and website makeover form part of the same carefully orchestrated campaign.
What they are promoting remains a mystery, Miley has not announced a single, album title or release date, meaning speculation about a tenth studio album remains exactly that.
There is another major clue, however. Earlier this summer, the Grammy winner signed a new recording deal with Atlantic Records, ending her long relationship with Sony Music labels RCA and Columbia.
"Welcome to the family @mileycyrus," Atlantic announced at the time. The move puts Miley on the same label roster as stars including Ed Sheeran, Charli xcx, Bruno Mars, Cardi B and Coldplay, and makes the sudden launch of a dramatically different visual identity particularly intriguing.
© Getty Images for iHeartRadioA new beginning after Dolly Parton's death
The timing is also deeply emotional for Miley. Her apparent new chapter comes less than a week after the death of her beloved godmother, Dolly Parton, who died aged 80 on August 25 following a brief battle with cancer.
Miley broke her silence the following day with an intensely personal tribute in which she revealed one of her final conversations with the country music legend had fittingly been about "music and metamorphosis."
"The feeling of losing my Aunt Dolly is beyond what feels right to share," she wrote, explaining that their most sacred memories would remain private.
Miley then revealed the advice she believes Dolly would give her now: "What I KNOW is Dolly would want me to feel it, write a song about it, and then continue on and be strong."
She added: "I have an angel by my side. I always have." The reference to metamorphosis feels especially poignant in light of Miley's apparent transformation just days later, although there is nothing to suggest the new campaign was created in response to Dolly's death.
