The iconic American musician Tom Petty passed away from a heart attack just one week after wrapping up his 40th anniversary tour, at the age of sixty-six. The grief hit hard and swiftly. Miley Cyrus hadn’t planned to perform “Wildflowers” as part of her promotion for her album Younger Now. However, on the night after Tom’s passing, she rehearsed the song with her band for the first time. The next morning, she delivered a raw and live performance on The Howard Stern Radio Show, which felt unrefined.
Three main reactions emerged regarding Miley’s performance of “Wildflowers” on the Thursday night Tonight Show. First, fans were thrilled by her singing, particularly her lower register! Some were caught off guard, while others appreciated her wide-ranging musical styles. Second, the performance was seen as a touching tribute to Petty. Lastly, Miley’s relationship with her father struck a chord with many viewers. Before I provide some examples, take a moment to listen to “Wildflowers” on the Stern Show. It’s truly spine-tingling if you focus and stay engaged.
Musical sensation Miley Cyrus has drawn media attention alongside her father, Billy Ray Cyrus, a former one-hit wonder turned Disney Channel actor. His relationship with a woman younger than Miley contributed to her parents’ divorce, much to Miley’s displeasure. She didn’t attend her father’s wedding to Firerose in October 2023, nor did she acknowledge him in her Grammy acceptance speech for Record of the Year in 2024. Billy Ray, 62, and Firerose, 34, are currently no longer together.
On a positive note, there are signs of reconciliation between father and daughter. A video of Miley and Billy Ray performing Tom Petty’s “Wildflowers” during her regular appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon is likely to resonate even with skeptics. Tom Petty passed away on October 2, 2017, and this heartfelt performance took place just a few days later. The evident affection between Miley and her father, who wore a Stetson, adds an emotional depth to the moment.
Now, let’s discuss the reactions to Miley’s performance on the Tonight Show that aired in primetime. Celticat remarked, “The lady can sing.” They mentioned that their perspective on her has completely changed. Beneath all the noise, there’s something remarkable! Dave added, “This girl can sing anything,” expressing his newfound admiration for her incredible range. Sarah Kuhn shared, “My favorite artist was Tom,” and revealed that she chose “Wildflowers” for her wedding’s father-daughter dance, saying, “Miley, you truly did this song justice—I’m speechless.”
An anonymous commenter confessed she started crying while reading Miley’s heartfelt notes. “I hate to be ‘that kind’ of person,” she said, “but her dress and blonde hair, along with her dad’s guitar playing, give me Hannah Montana vibes.” Too Chillery noted, “I love how Billy didn’t overshadow his daughter during this performance,” demonstrating true fatherly respect. Many others echoed similar sentiments. Bad Sama highlighted the song’s most poignant moment when Miley said, “Ready Dad,” commenting, “‘Ready Dad’… it’s adorable, and I love it! I really miss my dad.”
In related news, TMZ reported that Billy Ray Cyrus is seeking to dissolve his marriage to Firerose on grounds of fraud, with the couple having split in May 2024. In June 2024, Miley spoke about her estrangement from her father on David Letterman’s Netflix show. She acknowledged the host’s sentiment that “it’s just the way it’s been played” and expressed gratitude to her parents, Tish and Billy, for raising her. “All set, Dad?” she asked.
