5 Things You Didn’t Know About Miley Cyrus’s Brother Trace Cyrus 

You know Miley Cyrus, right? The pop sensation who’s been in the spotlight for years. But what about her brother, Trace Cyrus? While the songstress is out there making headlines with her hits and headline-grabbing antics, her brother has been quietly doing his own thing.

Sure, he’s part of the famous Cyrus family, but he’s got his own unique story to tell. The 35-year-old has a fascinating past that includes growing up in a blended family, working at a mall, and even forming a band with Mason Musso.

He’s got tattoos that tell his personal story, and his relationships have been as dramatic as you’d expect. So, who exactly is Trace Cyrus? Let’s take a deeper dive into the life of the Flowers star’s older brother, who’s built his own path!

1. Trace Cyrus Was Adopted at the Age of 4

Trace Cyrus wasn’t always a Cyrus. Born Neil Timothy Helson in Ashland, Kentucky, on February 24, 1989, his early life was a lot different from the public spotlight he would later enter.

According to USA Today, his biological father is Baxter Neal Helson, but things changed when his mother, Leticia “Tish” Cyrus, married country music star Billy Ray Cyrus. At just four years old, Cyrus was adopted by Billy Ray, which meant a new name and a new life.

His name was legally changed to Trace Dempsey Cyrus, and he became part of the famous family. He spent much of his early childhood traveling with his new family, including Billy Ray and his siblings, who were involved in the country music scene.

2. Trace Cyrus’ First Job Was Working at a Shopping Mall

Before Cyrus was famous, he was like many other teens working regular jobs to pay the bills. In 2006, he worked at a shopping mall in Burbank, California, while attending La Cañada High School (as reported by LA Times).

It wasn’t the glamorous life you might expect from someone with Miley Cyrus as a sister. But it was real, and Cyrus has never been shy about his humble beginnings. In fact, he has openly said his career could’ve been bigger without his famous family, explaining (via Billboard):

I love my family so much, but I think I’d be much more successful if I wasn’t part of a famous family. People immediately want to judge me and discredit all my hard work because of who I’m related to. But that’s so far from the truth. I got a record deal without anyone from my label even knowing who I was related to ’til after they signed me.

Cyrus decided to drop out of high school to pursue a career in music. It’s a decision many might hesitate to make, but the singer knew that music was his calling. He wasn’t just waiting for his fame to fall into his lap—he was hustling, grinding, and making moves to build the career he wanted.

3. Trace Cyrus Has Over 30 Tattoos on His Body

If you’ve ever seen Trace Cyrus, you’ve probably noticed that his body is practically a canvas. And no, we’re not talking about a small butterfly tattoo on his ankle. Cyrus is covered in tattoos — over 30, to be exact — each one with its own special meaning.

A lot of his tattoos are super personal, showing his journey in life and music. He’s got ink honoring his family—his sisters, his mom Tish, and even his bandmates.

Cyrus’s tattoos include detailed, realistic portraits of Native American chiefs, like Geronimo on his back. He also reps his Southern roots with “Nashville” and “Tennessee” inked on him, plus a tat for his other home—Los Angeles (per Ranker).

One of his most talked-about tattoos is a series he showed off in PETA’s 2012 ‘Ink Not Mink’ campaign. It combined his love of tattoos with his stand for animal rights.

4. Trace Cyrus Started Metro Station in a Totally Unexpected Way

While Trace Cyrus could’ve easily chosen to follow the path set by his famous family, he didn’t. Instead, he decided to make a name for himself in the music industry — on his own terms.

In 2006, Cyrus met Mason Musso, the older brother of Mitchel Musso (yes, the Hannah Montana star). The two bonded over their shared love of music, and before long, they formed the band Metro Station.

Now, you might expect a story like this to be a result of industry connections and family ties, but his journey to founding Metro Station was actually pretty organic. They didn’t get together because they were both famous or from prominent families.

They simply shared a passion for music. And with that, Metro Station was born. The band quickly became known for its catchy single, Shake It, which became a huge hit in 2008. But while the track was a success, it wasn’t the only thing that defined Metro Station.

The duo worked hard to build the band’s sound, which was a mix of pop, rock, and electronic elements. They made something new, and the band picked up a solid fanbase. But like most bands, Metro Station had its highs and lows, breaking up and getting back together. Still, Cyrus stayed all-in on the music.

5. Trace Cyrus was Already Engaged Before Settling Down with Taylor Lauren Sanders

One of the most talked-about relationships in Trace Cyrus’ past was with Disney Channel star Brenda Song. The couple dated for nearly a decade, and their relationship was anything but straightforward.

The two even got engaged in 2011, and the whole thing played out in the public eye as Song was at the peak of her Disney fame. But like many relationships that involve fame, things didn’t go smoothly for them.

They had a rocky relationship, with frequent breakups and reconciliations. In fact, they even sparked pregnancy rumors (per Just Jared Jr.), which only fueled the drama surrounding their romance. Less than a year after getting engaged, they called it off.

Despite the drama, the couple’s relationship wasn’t over after the engagement ended. Cyrus and Song continued to break up and get back together throughout the years, making headlines every time. Eventually, they finally called it quits for good in 2017.

The actress later moved on and started a family with actor Macaulay Culkin, while Cyrus moved on to settle down with Taylor Lauren Sanders.