Miley Cyrus is embracing a new chapter—though she admits she’s still adjusting to the language that comes with it. In a recent interview, the Grammy-winning artist revealed she feels a bit awkward referring to longtime partner Maxx Morando as her fiancé, despite being happily engaged. Speaking with Entertainment Tonight at the Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards on Saturday, January 3, Cyrus, 33, shared her candid reaction to the title. “I get so cringed out,” she said with a laugh, adding that she tends to be “kind of dorky” about labels tied to romance.
Engagement confirmed after four years together
Cyrus and Morando’s engagement was confirmed in December 2025, after the couple quietly dated for four years. The news followed Cyrus’ appearance at the Avatar: Fire and Ash world premiere in Los Angeles on December 1, where she was spotted wearing a diamond ring on her left hand. Despite the public confirmation, Cyrus emphasized that the relationship itself has remained intentionally private—a balance she says has become increasingly important to her with age and experience.
Why the timing felt right
While the singer may still feel shy about the word “fiancé,” she made it clear that the commitment came at a meaningful moment in her life. Cyrus connected the timing of the engagement to her involvement with Avatar: Fire and Ash, which features her song “Dream as One” on the soundtrack. She credited director James Cameron for centering his films on human connection, saying that theme resonated deeply with her current state of mind.
“For me, getting to be involved in this at this time… relationships are really the pillar of what James makes,” she explained. “To be able to show up joyful and experience love in my own way is just perfectly aligned. It fell into my life at the perfect time.”
A grounded approach to love and family
Cyrus also reflected on how her family has shaped her outlook, briefly mentioning her older sister Brandi Cyrus’ recent engagement. She described her family as grounded and low-key behind closed doors, despite their public-facing careers.
“We’re all performers,” she said, “so when it’s at home, we want no performers. We want to keep it real.”
That desire for authenticity appears to extend into her relationship with Morando, who is a drummer for the band Liily. Cyrus has previously said she’s been surprised—and grateful—by how much privacy the couple has managed to maintain.
Humor, honesty, and real-life quirks
In recent appearances, Cyrus has also leaned into humor when discussing her engagement. During a December visit to Jimmy Kimmel Live!, she joked that one unexpected perk of being engaged is having Morando handle tasks that trigger her unusual phobia of paper and cardboard packaging. While the story was delivered playfully, it reinforced a consistent theme in Cyrus’ comments: her relationship works because it fits naturally into her life, rather than redefining it.
Looking ahead
As Cyrus continues to balance music, film projects, and personal milestones, she appears focused on alignment rather than spectacle. Though she may still cringe at the word “fiancé,” her reflections suggest a sense of calm confidence about where she is—and who she’s sharing it with.
