Miley Cyrus & Maxx Morando: Inside the Surprise Proposal and Their Four-Year Love Story

Miley Cyrus and Maxx Morando: An Engagement That Took Even Miley by Surprise

When it comes to headline-making surprises, Miley Cyrus has often been the one to set the stage, from her bold musical reinventions to her famously candid interviews. But in December 2025, the tables turned. The pop superstar found herself genuinely shocked—her words, not ours—when her longtime boyfriend Maxx Morando proposed in Japan. The engagement, confirmed on December 2 at the Avatar: Fire and Ash premiere, marks a new chapter for Cyrus, whose personal life has long played out under the scrutiny of fans and tabloids alike.

The Proposal in Japan: Why It Was Perfectly Personal

Japan wasn’t just a random pin on the map. For Miley, it was a destination she had intentionally reserved as a “special place” just for herself, a kind of sanctuary apart from her whirlwind career and highly public relationships. So when Maxx Morando—a Los Angeles indie rock drummer six years her junior—got down on one knee during their trip, he wasn’t just proposing marriage. He was proposing in a space that symbolized Miley’s self-preservation and personal growth.

“I had completely surrendered,” Miley told Good Morning America in her first televised interview after the engagement. “I was so, so surprised.” For someone who admits to loving control, it was a moment of vulnerability and genuine astonishment. The proposal was kept intimate, reflecting both their personalities and their desire for privacy.

The Ring: Bespoke, Bold, and Unmistakably Miley

Of course, no celebrity engagement is complete without the requisite ring reveal. Miley’s sparkler is a custom piece by Los Angeles luxury jeweler Jacquie Aiche, featuring a chunky 14-karat yellow gold band and a cushion-cut diamond estimated at 4-5 carats. The ring’s bold style—widening at the top with a heavy gold setting—has already caught the eye of bridal trend-watchers. On Good Morning America, Miley flashed the ring with pride, quipping that her fiancé “did good.” It’s a design that feels both classic and rebellious, much like Cyrus herself.

From Blind Date to Fiancé: Their Quiet Four-Year Journey

So who is Maxx Morando, and how did he win the heart of one of pop’s most free-spirited icons? The story begins in November 2021, when a friend set up Miley and Maxx on a blind date. “Well, it was blind for me and not really for him,” Miley joked in a 2023 British Vogue interview. The chemistry was immediate, and within weeks, the couple appeared together at the Gucci Love Parade in Los Angeles—an early public glimpse that fans would later scrutinize for clues.

Morando, born in 1998, is best known as the drummer for Liily, an LA-based indie rock band. He started his music journey at the famed School of Rock at age eight and cut his teeth with punk outfit The Regrettes before joining Liily. He’s drawn influence from legends like Keith Moon and Phil Collins, and his creative reach extends beyond music; he’s collaborated with Miley on visual arts and fashion, even co-designing some of her festival looks.

Throughout their relationship, the couple has kept things low-key, making only sporadic public appearances and rarely sharing details with the press. Their privacy has been a stark contrast to Miley’s previous relationships, including her short-lived marriage to actor Liam Hemsworth. In February 2024, Maxx was by Miley’s side as she won her first Grammy, and they moved in together shortly after, according to People magazine.

Collaboration and Growth: How Maxx Became Miley’s Creative Partner

Morando hasn’t just been a supportive partner—he’s become a creative collaborator. He co-produced tracks on Cyrus’s 2023 album Endless Summer Vacation and took on a larger role in her ninth studio album, Something Beautiful, producing several tracks and co-writing the title song. Morando described the project as “the sickest” he’s ever worked on, publicly thanking Miley for letting him be part of her artistic journey.

This synergy has helped Miley feel “perfectly aligned” in both her personal and professional life. She credits the growth she’s experienced over four years with Maxx for her newfound sense of balance. “I ended up with a person who means a lot to me and treats me really well and respects me,” she told The Cut in September 2025. “My man’s hot as hell too.”

Privacy and Maturity: A New Approach to Love

For Miley, this engagement isn’t just about romance—it’s about maturity and boundaries. She’s publicly expressed astonishment at maintaining privacy around the engagement, something she struggled with in the past. “Our privacy and us kind of keeping it small has been something that I’ve been astounded that I’ve actually been able to have,” she told People.

It’s a notable pivot from her previous, high-profile relationships, which often played out in the media spotlight. Her brief marriage to Liam Hemsworth, for example, was heavily scrutinized and ultimately ended less than a year after their wedding. Hemsworth, coincidentally, announced his own engagement to Gabriella Brooks around the same time Miley’s news broke.

What’s Next for Miley Cyrus?

As 2025 comes to a close, Miley Cyrus stands at a crossroads of personal happiness and creative fulfillment. With her work on Avatar: Fire and Ash and her deepening partnership with Maxx Morando, the pop icon is redefining what it means to be a public figure with a private life. Fans and observers alike are watching to see how this new chapter unfolds—both in music and in love.

Assessment: Miley Cyrus’s engagement to Maxx Morando represents more than a celebrity milestone; it’s a reflection of her evolution as both an artist and a person. By prioritizing privacy and meaningful connection, Cyrus is rewriting her own narrative—trading spectacle for substance, and proving that even in the public eye, some moments can remain truly personal.