As the cast of the beloved Disney hit, Hannah Montana, reunited for the first time in 20 years, there was a notable absence on the red carpet. Billy Ray Cyrus, Miley's father - who also played her on-screen dad - was nowhere to be seen.
The 33-year-old singer was supported by key members of her famous family at the world premiere of the special episode in Los Angeles as she donned her iconic blonde hairstyle for the occasion.
At the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, Miley beamed as the cameras flashed at her mom, Tish Cyrus, and her fiancé, Maxx Morando. However, fans were quick to notice the star's off-screen and on-screen father missing from the family affair.
Billy Ray appears in the special after reconciling with his daughter in 2025 following a feud that lasted several years, but he is not on good terms with Miley's mother after their divorce in 2022, after nearly 30 years of marriage.
Now dating British actress Elizabeth Hurley, the country singer has endured a rocky relationship with his child, who skyrocketed to fame after the children's series debuted in 2006.
HELLO! asked a child psychologist to analyse the Cyruses' relationship with Hannah Montana and, in particular, how Miley may have been feeling after her father failed to show up for her on her big night.
© WireImageA famous childhood revisited
Her relationship with her dad aside, Miley's return to the show that made her a household name, aged just 13, may have stirred up a range of reflective emotions left over from her teenage years.
HCPC-registered Senior Education and Child Psychologist Dr Sasha Hall, who has over 15 years of experience in the field, told Best Quality Designer Handbag : "Revisiting Hannah Montana may act as a powerful emotional cue, bringing Miley back into contact with earlier parts of herself.
"Adolescence is already a time of heightened emotional sensitivity, identity formation and a growing need for autonomy. Experiencing this within the context of global fame can intensify feelings of vulnerability and reduce opportunities for typical developmental choices."
She added: "Returning to this role may evoke a mix of nostalgia, happiness or even discomfort and reflection. She may reconnect with moments where she felt a lack of control or pressure to meet expectations.
"There may also be more complex adult reflections such as regret, frustration or a wish that she had been able to express herself differently at the time. This kind of emotional time travel is not unusual when adults revisit significant periods of their childhood."
© Getty ImagesA renewed Cyrus frenzy
Being part of the Hannah Montana universe didn't only affect Miley as a teenager, it had a ripple effect on her entire family, especially her siblings, who grew up in her "shadow". So, what will a renewed interest in the series do to the star's relationship with her brothers and sisters: Brandi, Trace, Christopher, Braison, and Noah?
"When public attention returns to Miley Cyrus, it can also reawaken earlier family dynamics. Siblings may find themselves revisiting how they experienced that period, including any feelings of being overshadowed or needing to adapt their own lives around her career," Dr Sasha explained.
She continued: "In childhood, these experiences can shape a young person’s sense of value within the family. The renewed attention may bring back feelings of comparison, frustration or resentment, alongside more positive emotions such as pride and shared achievement.
"It is common within families for both positive and more difficult emotions to coexist, particularly when one member has been at the centre of sustained public attention."
© Getty ImagesHigh-pressure parenting
Reexperiencing such a significant time in a child's development can be trauma-inducing for any parent, let alone a time that was placed under the spotlight and criticised on the public stage. For Tish and Billy Ray, the resurgence of Hannah hysteria could open old wounds they felt as Miley's parents, according to the professional.
Dr Sasha said: "For parents, revisiting this period may prompt reflection on a time when they were parenting together under unique and high-pressure circumstances. This may bring forward a mixture of nostalgia, pride, regret or unresolved feelings."
She went on to say: "When relationships have changed, individuals may also revisit memories in a way that aligns with how they feel in the present. This can sometimes lead to a reshaping of how that time is remembered.
"There may also be a tendency to avoid engaging too deeply with these memories if they are emotionally complex or linked to the relationship they once shared."
© Getty ImagesA father's absence
During the filming of the series, Billy Ray was not only Miley's father in real life, but he also played her dad on-screen. His absence at the anniversary premiere may have brought back strong emotions for Miley that she had buried from her days in the blonde wig.
"The dual role of Billy Ray Cyrus as both a real-life parent and an on-screen father figure adds emotional significance to his absence. Moments that carry shared meaning can heighten awareness of distance or change within a relationship," the expert pointed out.
She concluded: "As an adult, Miley may be able to understand the wider context of his absence, however, this does not remove the possibility of emotional responses such as sadness, disappointment or a sense of loss.
"Early attachment relationships remain emotionally meaningful across the lifespan, and public events can sometimes bring private feelings into sharper focus."
