Pop icon Miley Cyrus has offered a characteristically humorous take on her recent engagement, suggesting a very practical reason tied to an unusual fear. The singer revealed that her deep-seated phobia of paper and cardboard played a part in her decision to say yes to long-term boyfriend Maxx Morando.
A Phobia That Demands an Intervention
During an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live on Thursday 5th December 2025, the 33-year-old 'Flowers' singer opened up about her engagement and an odd aversion that impacts her daily routine. Cyrus explained she has a severe 'qualm' with paper, particularly during the Christmas period. "I hate paper," she stated, adding that the sight and feel of it can make her "want to vomit," especially when people with dry hands touch it.
"It's a phobia, and I think I need help," Cyrus quipped. She admitted the issue is worsening, noting, "I am gonna look into some sort of EMDR, being hypnotized about it because it is affecting my everyday life." The worst culprit, according to the star, is cardboard. "Someone gets an Amazon box, I'm sick, because the cardboard is the worst of it all," she confessed.
The Practical Perks of Partnership
It was this very aversion that led to one of her light-hearted justifications for getting engaged. Cyrus joked that she now has a permanent solution for dealing with dreaded packaging. "That's really why I got engaged, because I just make my fiancé open all the packages outside," she told Kimmel. She specifically highlighted the challenge of cardboard, describing it as "extra dry" with packaging inside.
When Kimmel mentioned the tradition of giving paper gifts for a first wedding anniversary, Cyrus was adamant: "I'm absolutely not" participating. The host also questioned whether her phobia would extend to signing the marriage certificate, to which the singer expressed uncertainty. However, she clarified that not all paper is problematic, citing waxed paper and rolling paper as acceptable due to their smoother surfaces.
Confirming the Engagement and a Father's Blessing
Rumours of the engagement first swirled on Monday when Cyrus attended the 'Avatar: Fire and Ash' premiere wearing a diamond ring with a thick gold band. The singer officially confirmed the news on Wednesday's episode of Good Morning America, sharing intimate details of the proposal. She revealed Morando, a drummer, popped the question during a trip to Japan, a country she had purposely never visited to save it for a special occasion.
Following the announcement, her father, Billy Ray Cyrus, publicly congratulated the couple via Instagram earlier this week. Alongside a nostalgic photo featuring Dolly Parton, he wrote: "So happy you and MaxxAgazillion found each other!!!! Congratulations! Happy to see you both so happy!!! love Dad."
The couple, who have been dating for four years, now embark on their next chapter, with Cyrus having found a humorous silver lining to her unusual phobia in the form of a supportive fiancé.
