In May 2024, Calvin Harris teased a new summer anthem, “Ocean,” featuring a raspy-voiced female vocalist widely believed to be Miley Cyrus.
The song was previewed on social media and performed live at the Tecate Emblema Festival on May 18, 2024, generating major hype among fans. However, by July, Harris deleted the teasers, with reports suggesting Cyrus’ record label blocked the release due to undisclosed creative or contractual issues.
On August 17, 2025, Harris officially announced a reworked version of “Ocean” featuring an undisclosed artist. The following day, he teased the track on TikTok, where fans noticed he responded to comments hinting at Miley Cyrus’ involvement.
@calvinharris Yes I love it #newmusic #ocean
♬ Ocean - Calvin Harris
In the comments section, Harris appeared to shade Cyrus, implying her label’s restrictions led to the cancellation of their collaboration. Though subtle, the remarks fueled speculation and reignited tensions between the two artists.
Fan accounts on X, circulated Harris’ comments, framing them as a direct dig at Cyrus. Reactions have been split: some fans expressed disappointment that the original collaboration was scrapped, while others argued Cyrus’ team may have blocked the release to align with her broader career strategy.
Calvin Harris shades Miley Cyrus after he announces the release of "Ocean", with an unknown artist.
— Pop Tingz (@ThePopTingz) August 17, 2025
The song originally featured Miley Cyrus, but her record label blocked its release. pic.twitter.com/s4ukymXivJ
This is not the first time Harris has faced criticism over artist restrictions. In past controversies, he reportedly limited performers from using his songs live, raising questions about creative control. As of now, neither Harris nor Cyrus has issued an official statement clarifying the situation, leaving fans eager to see how the “Ocean” rollout unfolds.a
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