Pop icon Miley Cyrus, 33, appears to be on the verge of a new personal chapter: engagement to musician Maxx Morando, a 27-year-old drummer known for his work with the alternative rock band Liily. A source confirmed to PEOPLE that the couple is now engaged, after Cyrus was spotted wearing a diamond ring on her left-hand ring finger at the December 1 premiere of Avatar: The Way of Water in Los Angeles.
At the star-studded premiere, Cyrus wore a black sequined Gucci dress, paired with a silver necklace and matching earrings, her hair styled in loose beach-wave curls. Morando complemented her look with a classic black suit and white shirt. Observers noted the diamond ring — designed by jewelry artist Jacquie Aiche and confirmed by her representative — as the key detail fueling speculation.
From Blind Date to Red Carpet: A Private Romance Blossoms
Cyrus and Morando’s relationship grew quietly after they were first seen together at the Gucci “Love Parade” show in late 2021. Reflecting on their start in a 2023 British Vogue interview, Cyrus explained:
“We got put on a blind date … Well, it was blind for me and not really for him.”
Their relationship, initially private, deepened over time. By early 2024, they had moved in together and were described by sources close to them as steady and supportive.
In a November 2024 Harper’s Bazaar interview, Cyrus discussed their age gap, noting it as part of what makes them unique. She explained, “He grew up with a laptop. I had a desktop computer that I shared with my brothers and sisters. Honestly, he’s raised our dog off Reddit … On Reddit, it says blah, blah, blah.”
Creative Chemistry — On Stage and Off
Their connection goes beyond romance. Morando contributed drums to tracks on Cyrus’s 2023 album Endless Summer Vacation and was involved with songs on her 2025 album Something Beautiful.
Their creative partnership reached a public moment when Cyrus won her first Grammy for Flowers in 2024 and acknowledged Morando as “my love.”
The success of “Flowers,” which many call her career-defining hit, adds another layer of significance to their union. The song, which topped multiple global charts and reshaped Cyrus’s public image, feels symbolically linked to this new phase in her personal life.
Engagement Details: The Ring, The Reveal, The Timing
Though the couple has not issued a formal announcement, the ring at the premiere offered a strong visual cue. The diamond appears set in a thick 14-karat yellow-gold band — a bespoke piece by Aiche. Industry experts estimate the stone to be a 4–5 carat cushion-cut diamond, with a potential retail value of $150,000-$450,000, depending on clarity and provenance.
It remains unclear exactly when the proposal was made. The exact timing of the proposal remains unclear. Some sources reported that Cyrus was wearing the ring as early as mid-November, suggesting the engagement may have occurred privately before the premiere. The engagement marks more than a personal milestone: it hints at a period of stability and creative renewal. Sources told PEOPLE in 2024 that Morando — described as “private” and “grounded” — has helped bring calm and harmony to her life. “She is very happy with him,” one insider said.
Their relationship — rooted in mutual respect, a shared artistic vision, and low-key roots — may signal a new era, both personally and professionally, for Cyrus. With Morando by her side, the “Flowers” era may be less about reinvention — and more about growth, collaboration, and finding home.
