8 minute readRumors of a relationship between pop star Miley Cyrus and Lilly’s drummer Max Molland first surfaced in late 2021, when they were spotted together in Miami while Cyrus was in Miami for NBC’s New Year’s Eve special, Miley’s New Year’s Eve Party. At the time, the Daily Mail captured the pair spending time together on the balcony of their Miami hotel room. A glimpse of them dancing backstage was also seen. A few months later, in March 2022, Entertainment Tonight confirmed the two were dating, with sources calling their relationship “low-key.” And now, more than a year later, the couple appears to be “on track.” They made their awards ceremony debut at the Oscars in March 2025.
Here’s what we know so far about Maxx Morando.
Who is Max Morand?
Prior to joining Los Angeles four-piece rock band Lily, Morando played drums for punk rock band The Regrettes from 2015 to 2018 and appeared on Conan in 2017. He and Silas had many friends in common and had known each other as friends for some time.
How was their relationship confirmed?
gradually.
Cyrus, 30, has not publicly said anything about her relationship with Morande, then 24, but they were spotted together on the red carpet at the Gucci Love Parade fashion show in Los Angeles in November.
A source also told E! In January 2022, they will definitely be together.
“She is happily dating Max,” the source said. “It’s official between them.”
The source further added, “They bond beyond being musicians because they are artistic and creative,” and confirmed that Morando attended the NYE party. “He was backstage with Miley and Pete[Davidson]at rehearsals on New Year’s Eve and they had a great time together and were recording. They were all very friendly with each other and seemed to have a great night.”
Entertainment Tonight added in a report published on March 1, 2022 that the two had been together privately for some time. “Miley and Max are having a great time together,” a source said. “They’ve been together for a while and are just enjoying their relationship. Miley likes how low-key they are as a couple, focusing on doing her thing and being with people who make her happy, and Max does that too.”
Then, on Thursday, April 14, the couple was photographed kissing in West Hollywood, further confirming their relationship with some PDA. They were seen meeting outside a salon and giving each other smoothies. They then walked down the street shoulder to shoulder, looking very much like a couple.
Almost a year later, in March 2023, Cyrus and Morando confirmed they were still happily together. Hours before the release of her latest album, Endless Summer Vacation, she co-appeared hand in hand at the Versace show in Los Angeles. Later that night, they celebrated the new release together at a Gucci party.
Cyrus and Morande attended the Versace show on March 9th.
Morande and Cyrus arrive at Gucci’s party celebrating the album release on March 10th.
Has Cyrus ever talked about him before?
In September 2021, Cyrus mentioned Moland while talking to Vogue about her performance looks, crediting the cartoon monster print to Moland’s drummer and co-creating it with designer Shane Castor.
“This look is a unique collaboration between two of my favorite emerging artists, Max Morando and Shane Castor,” she said. “Their collaboration resonated deeply with me as it is a perfect example of sustainability becoming the next phase of fashion and proves that anything can be reinvented.”
Cyrus also debuted a new song called “You” at NYE 2021, which she said was so new that she hadn’t had a chance to record it yet. The song was later featured on her 2023 album Endless Summer Vacation. It is speculated that it is about her new boyfriend. The lyrics go like this:
“I’ve brought baggage/Let’s do some damage/I’m no horseman/You know I’m a savage/You’re missing out on it/I want the sweet magic of late night/Love that lasts forever/But if it’s with you.”
What do their friends think about their relationship?
In October 2022, a source told E! News, “Miley and Max are still going strong and their relationship is very serious… They’ve been dating for about a year and Miley is really happy.”
They added, “Her whole family loves them and thinks they mesh really well.”
According to a source, Cyrus recently sold her home in Franklin, Tennessee and moved to Los Angeles. “She recently wanted to take a break from her crazy work schedule, and she’s in a good place right now.”
Why do Morando and Cyrus work so well as a couple?
A Cyrus source told People in March 2023 that Morando is a “cool guy” and that his lack of drama was great for Cyrus.
“He’s not interested in being a big celebrity and is very reserved. Miley loves those qualities,” the source said. “Miley is able to be herself. They support each other’s careers. Miley is enjoying life and everything is great.”
how did they meet?
Believe it or not, they were set up on a blind date, Cyrus told British Vogue. “Well, it was blindsided for me, but not for him,” she revealed. “I thought, ‘The worst thing that can happen is I quit.'” Fortunately, it turned out much better than that.
Another fun tidbit: Her cell phone’s ringtone is “Tyrone” by Erykah Badu. “I call it ‘boyfriend sexy ringtone,'” she told the magazine. However, Morando usually has the phone. Cyrus didn’t have hers when Endless Summer Vacation was released. “My boyfriend brings his cell phone, but I don’t bring my cell phone,” she said.
When was the last time Cyrus was seen with Morando in 2023 and early 2024?
Cyrus was spotted attending a concert by Morando’s band Lily on October 11, 2023 in Los Angeles. A photo of Morando with her brown-haired girlfriend surfaced on X (previously known as Twitter).
On February 4, 2024, the couple attended the Grammy Awards together.
She attended his concert in West Hollywood in August 2024.
On Saturday, August 31st, Cyrus attended Morando’s concert at the Roxy in West Hollywood. She was photographed heading to her car wearing a tight black T-shirt and Gucci sunglasses. She had her hair tied up in a tight bun.
The couple was photographed at a concert in mid-September 2024.
Cyrus and Morando enjoyed a Future Island concert at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. Photos from a rare date night on September 18th have been released. Cyrus wore an oversized black sweater and Morando wore a navy Ralph Lauren Polo Bear sweater. See photos here.
Will Silas ever marry Morando?
A source told Us Weekly in late December 2023 how the singer has high hopes for her and her boyfriend’s future. A source said at the time: “Miley could have lived a healthy, positive and rewarding life with Max.” “She has learned from her past marriages and relationships and wants to build for a better future with him.”
The source added that the couple is “doing well” and that Miley is “very much in love” and is open to remarrying someday. Sources noted that Cyrus had no intention of reconciling with Morando or rushing to take that step.
Did Cyrus and Morand kiss at the 2024 Grammys?
Yes, the couple was caught on camera having a very intimate moment at Cyrus’ Grammys table. Although the two did not walk the red carpet together, Morando joined them for the ceremony. That night, Cyrus won her first two Grammy Awards and performed on stage.
The couple attended SNL 50 together in February 2025, making a rare red carpet appearance.
On February 16, Cyrus and Morando walked the red carpet at SNL50, which celebrated Saturday Night Live’s 50th season. Cyrus performed during a livestreamed event, and Morando was by her side.
Have Morando and Cyrus ever attended the Oscars together?
Yes, 2025. The couple posed together on the red carpet.
Then off to the Vanity Fair Oscar party. For both events, they matched in black ensembles.
Do Cyrus and Morando live together?
yes. A source told People magazine in a Feb. 7, 2024 report that Cyrus and Morando had moved in together. “She’s very happy with him,” the source said. “Miley has changed a lot over the last few years. She seems calmer and more harmonious than before. Everyone loves Max. He’s a great guy. She’s very happy with him. He’s very private and doesn’t like to be in the press. It’s been good for her.”
How does Cyrus feel about their six year age difference?
The singer gave an interview to Harper’s Bazaar in November 2024 and said that they are aware of the generation gap between them. Cyrus is a Millennial and Morando is a Gen Z.
“He has a completely different outlook on life than I do,” she said. “He grew up with a laptop. I had a desktop computer that I shared with my brothers and sisters. … To be honest, he raised our dog from Reddit. I said, ‘Are we really supposed to do this?’ And he was like, on Reddit, blah, blah, blah.”
“He’s very similar to me. We don’t take life too seriously,” she added.
Have you two done any music activities together?
yes. Cyrus revealed to Harper’s Bazaar in November 2024 that they are collaborating musically. Working with loved ones is nothing special for her. “I’ve always worked with my dad,” she said. “That’s how me and my ex-husband met. I’ve always worked with people I love, and Max is such an inspiration to me.”
Has Morando ever appeared in Cyrus’ Something Beautiful music videos?
Yes, but more subtly. The Daily Mail noted that Morando was the drummer on Cyrus’ “End of the World” video. Although his face is hidden, he is standing at the drum set throughout the video.
How is Morando doing with his family?
On May 9, 2025, Billy Ray Cyrus shared a selfie celebrating his daughter and son Blazont’s 31st birthday. Morando also appeared in the photo while being hugged by his girlfriend. Billy Ray captioned the photo, “Happy Birthday Blazon!!!!!!🎉♥️😃.”
They left after the premiere of her visual album “Something Beautiful.”
They were spotted at the Hotel Beacon in New York City on Friday, June 6, after the premiere of her visual album Something Beautiful on Day 3 of the Tribeca Film Festival. Cyrus wore a strapless gold and mirrored dress, paired with pointy-toed gold heels and carried a black clutch in one hand. She held the hand of Mr. Morand, who was wearing a black suit over a white button-down, with her other hand.
In late May, a source told Us Weekly that the couple is getting along very well despite rarely appearing in public.
“Everyone close to Miley says Max brings out the best in Miley,” the source said. “They make a lot of sense as a couple.”
“They are working very well as a team,” the source said. “Max shares the same passion for music and is one of Miley’s biggest cheerleaders.”
She continued, “Miley is in a healing phase. After doing a lot of introspective work on herself and figuring out who she is, she’s in a really good place.”
Cyrus and Morand sparked engagement rumors in December 2025.
On December 1, 2025, the couple made a rare public appearance at the Hollywood premiere of Avatar: Fire and Ash. They wore coordinated all-black ensembles as Cyrus flashed a diamond sparkler with a gold band on her left ring finger. The accessory sparked engagement rumors online, but Cyrus and Morando have not publicly confirmed their plans to get married.
