If you still think of Miley Cyrus in terms of wrecking balls or tongue-wagging VMA performances, you’re basically living in 2013. A lot has changed. Specifically, a guy named Maxx Morando happened.
Honestly, the way people talk about Miley Cyrus and her boyfriend—well, fiancé now—usually misses the point entirely. They aren't just some random Hollywood pairing thrown together by a publicist. They are a weirdly perfect, low-key match that has survived the meat grinder of celebrity gossip for over four years.
The Blind Date That Actually Worked
You've heard the horror stories about blind dates. They’re usually awkward, filled with forced small talk, and end with someone "going to the bathroom" and never coming back.
Miley’s experience was different. Sorta.
In a 2023 interview with British Vogue, she admitted they were set up. It was "blind" for her, but apparently not for him. She went into it with the mindset of, "The worst that can happen is I leave." She didn’t leave.
Instead, she found a 27-year-old drummer for the band Liily who didn't give a rip about being famous. Maxx Morando is Gen Z, six years her junior, and grew up with a laptop while she was stuck with the family desktop. That tiny generational gap actually seems to be their secret sauce. He looks at the world differently. He’s "drama-free," which, let’s be real, is exactly what Miley needed after the high-octane chaos of her 20s.
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That Massive Ring and the 2026 Golden Globes
Fast forward to January 2026. The red carpet at the Golden Globes was basically a showcase for Miley’s new "bespoke" jewelry.
She showed up in this killer floor-length black sequin gown and those signature Saint Laurent shades, but nobody was looking at the dress. They were looking at the 14-karat cushion-cut diamond on her left hand. It was designed by Jacquie Aiche, a jeweler Miley has trusted for years.
The engagement actually went down in late 2025. Specifically, Maxx popped the question during a trip to Japan. Miley told Good Morning America that she’d purposely avoided Japan for years because she wanted one "special place" left in the world to experience for the first time with the right person.
"I am not easy to surprise," she told the hosts. "But I was so, so, so surprised."
Why Maxx Morando Isn't Just "The Boyfriend"
Calling Maxx just "the boyfriend" is a bit of a snub to his actual resume. The guy is a legit musician. Before he was in Liily, he drummed for The Regrettes.
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But the real magic is how they work together.
- He co-produced "Handstand" and "Violet Chemistry" on her Endless Summer Vacation album.
- He worked on her 2025 project, Something Beautiful.
- He even co-wrote the title track for that album.
They live together now. They’ve been cohabitating since early 2024, and sources close to the couple say Miley has never been more "harmonious." It’s a word you wouldn’t have used for her ten years ago. Back then, it was all about the "Bangerz" era energy. Now? She’s hanging out at home, raising a dog with a guy who uses Reddit to figure out pet care (Miley actually joked about that in Harper's Bazaar).
The Grammys Moment Everyone Missed
When Miley won Record of the Year for "Flowers" at the 2024 Grammys, she gave a speech that felt like a bridge-burning ceremony for her past. She thanked her mom. She thanked her sister. She famously omitted her dad, Billy Ray.
But she didn't forget Maxx.
She called him "my love" right there on the global stage. It was a rare public acknowledgement from a couple that usually treats privacy like a religion. Maxx was sitting right there, just out of the main camera’s line of sight, which is exactly how he likes it. He’s not looking for the "main character" energy.
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What This Means for Miley's Future
The shift in Miley’s brand is palpable. She’s moving away from the spectacle and toward something more grounded. Her song "Dream as One" for the Avatar: Fire and Ash soundtrack is proof of that. It’s grand, sure, but it’s about relationships and having someone’s back.
She’s mentioned that her life is "perfectly aligned" right now.
If you're looking for the next chapter of Miley's career, don't expect more 24-hour party person vibes. Expect more collaborations with Maxx, more private moments, and maybe—just maybe—a wedding that doesn't end up on a reality show.
Next Steps for Fans:
If you want to understand the sound of Miley’s upcoming music, go listen to Maxx's band, Liily. Specifically the track "Imitate." You can hear the raw, rock-influenced DNA that is starting to bleed into Miley’s newer tracks. Keep an eye on the 2026 festival circuits; while Miley is being selective, when she does perform, Maxx is almost certainly going to be the one behind the drum kit.