Miley Cyrus Reveals What Led to Billy Ray Cyrus Rift

by

It was a slow climb for Miley Cyrus get to the point of being able to reconcile with her dad.

After several weeks had passed since Billy Ray Cyrus and she mended their relationship and exchanged messages about healing, following speculations about family feuds for over a year, the singer of “Flowers” verified that they were no longer estranged. She also revealed the reason behind their initial conflict – it was due to her parents’ separation.

In an interview with The New York Times on May 31st, Miley expressed that timing plays a crucial role. She added that as she’s grown older, she appreciates her parents as individuals more than just parents. This realization came about because her mother has always loved her father, and being married to someone in the music industry while not being a part of it is undeniably challenging.

The 32-year-old individual, whose mother, Tish Cyrus, filed for divorce from Billy Ray in 2022 following almost 30 years of marriage, expressed, “So I believe I absorbed some of my mom’s sorrow as if it were my own because her pain was greater than mine as an adult, and therefore, I carried a lot of her burden.

In my personal journey, learning about Tish’s marriage to Dominic Purcell, who you might recognize from “Prison Break,” and Billy Ray Cyrus finding love with Elizabeth Hurley – news they shared on social media eight months after his divorce from Firerose – served as a guiding light for me. These developments provided a comforting sense of progress and healing in my own life.

The “More to Love” singer expressed that since her mom is deeply in love with her stepfather, whom she holds in high regard, and her father appears to be content as well – I am able to appreciate them individually rather than as a combined parental unit. She stated, “I’m maturing enough to handle it.

Initially, it took a lot of effort because my inner child would react impulsively before my mature self could understand that he’s my father but also just a person who deserves happiness. Now, I can say that my inner child has finally caught up to this realization.

She expressed her thoughts weeks following the time her father posted an unusual family photo which included them both. Their meeting, marking Braison Cyrus’ 31st birthday celebration, transpired over a year after speculation about a family disagreement arose when she neglected to mention Billy Ray in her 2024 Grammy acceptance speech speeches.

The actress from Hannah Montana shared on her Instagram Stories on May 10th: “My father and I have faced difficulties throughout the years, but now that I’m in my thirties, family is what matters most to me. I feel content knowing that relationships have been rebuilt, and time has aided in healing. I am thankful for the well-being and love that permeates our family.

Billy Ray shared his own statement about mending their rift one day later, on Mother’s Day.

The singer of “Achy Breaky Heart” expressed his pride for Miley, her bravery, and resilience. On Instagram, he shared that words cannot express how much wisdom and strength she displayed when our family needed it the most. He added that we are almost at the point of complete healing.

63-year-old said, “We’ve been through tough times. On this Mother’s Day, I’d like to share a few facts. First, I strongly believe in the strength of prayers. If you feel the same way, let’s join forces and offer an additional prayer for the Cyrus Family… I gratefully accept your support.

Read on for a guide to the Miley’s family..

Billy Ray Cyrus married Tish Cyrus (née Leticia Finley) on Dec. 28, 2003.

At that point in time, they had a 12-month-old child named Destiny Hope Cyrus, who later became known as Miley Cyrus, and Tish was carrying their son Braison Cyrus, who made his arrival on the 9th of May, 1994.

Approximately seven months prior to Miley’s birth on November 23, 1992, Billy Ray’s former girlfriend, Kristin Luckey, welcomed their son Christopher Cody Cyrus into the world on April 8th.

When Billy Ray Cyrus tied the knot with Tish, he welcomed Brandi Cyrus (born May 26, 1987) and Trace Cyrus (Feb. 24, 1989) into his family, as they were previously the children of her previous relationship with Baxter Helson.

Trish and Billy Ray’s youngest, daughter Noah Cyrus, was born Jan. 8, 2000.

Between 2006 and 2010, Billy Ray portrayed the father of Miley’s role as a teen pop star disguised as a regular kid in the Disney Channel sitcom “Hannah Montana” and also appeared in the 2009 movie version of the show.

Meanwhile, the Cyrus family remained in Nashville, but Billy Ray and Miley decided to relocate to Los Angeles to kick-off her entertainment journey independently.

In October 2010, Billy Ray and Tish officially declared their separation, but surprisingly, they reconciled by the next year.

In June 2013, they initiated another divorce procedure, but just about a month later, they changed their minds. They shared with TopMob News that they had sought marriage counseling and found it incredibly helpful.

However, prior to their reconciliation, when it was announced that her father had initiated divorce proceedings in a Nashville court after 19 years of marriage, Miley tweeted, “Given that your texts and emails don’t seem to be working, would you prefer to chat this way instead, @billyraycyrus?

Following their collaboration in the 2010 film “The Last Song” and an on-again, off-again relationship spanning a decade, Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth tied the knot in December 2018, just after their Malibu residence had been destroyed by fire.

According to Miley, the decision was made out of a need to heal from past traumas and to rebuild things as fast as possible, which she discussed in her “Used to Be Young” TikTok series.

But Liam filed for divorce in August 2019 and they finalized the paperwork in January 2020.

A source shared with TopMob that it was genuinely straightforward – their love blossomed when they were young, but they’ve both evolved into unique individuals over time.

Braison and his wife Stella Cyrus welcomed son Bear Chance Cyrus on June 8. 

Tish filed for divorce fo a third time in April 2022, and this time it stuck.

Furthermore, her request for divorce, based on “unresolvable disagreements,” mentioned that she and her spouse of nearly three decades had been living apart since February 2020.

After 30 years, five wonderful children, and a lifetime filled with cherished memories, Tish and Billy Ray have made the decision to part ways—not out of sadness, but with love in their hearts. They’ve grown up together, built a family they can be incredibly proud of, and now it’s time for each of them to chart their own paths.

They explained that their choice to part ways permanently wasn’t made hastily or impulsively. However, they emphasized that they would forever remain family, eagerly anticipating future joyful and affectionate interactions as friends and co-parents.

In August 2022, Billy Ray discreetly became engaged to the 27-years-younger Australian singer Firerose. However, they didn’t make their engagement public until November of the same year.

As a child raised in Australia, music held the most significant place in my heart compared to anything else, shared Firerose with People. I’ve been familiar with his tunes for as long as I can remember.

What started as a friendship turned into more during the darkest days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In an unexpected turn of events, Billy Ray found himself in a world where his life as a touring artist no longer seemed real. It was a time of immense change. To make matters more poignant, Firerose – a beacon of positivity and a cherished friend – was also part of this transformation. As we began to create music together, our bond deepened from being musical partners to something much more profound: a love that I had never known could flourish in such a pure and happy way.

In November 2022, when Tish’s ex-husband announced his engagement, she made it public on Instagram that she was in a relationship with the actor Dominic Purcell.

In April 2023, they became engaged, and come August of the same year, they exchanged vows at a sunset wedding in Malibu. Miley, Trace, and Brandi were present as they took their vows, standing alongside their mother.

Life’s fluidity and continual transformations are undeniable, as illustrated by this image featuring myself, two of my siblings, and the bride. It seems vital to hold dear our yesterdays, gaze with anticipation towards tomorrow, and find contentment in the here and now – for it is precisely these moments that we truly possess.

It deeply touches me to witness my mother so happy and in love,” Miley shared with Vogue before her mom’s wedding. “Dom and my mom have the kindest, most sincere love. It seems as if it’s their first time falling in love, which is incredibly fitting for my mother, who possesses such a youthful spirit.

Regarding her father’s upcoming phase, it was reported by TopMob News in October 2022, quoting a source close to Miley, that she isn’t fond of the scenario and doesn’t maintain a relationship with the woman who may potentially become her stepmother.

The breakup of her parents has made it difficult for her to maintain a strong bond with her father, and she’s found it challenging to reconnect with him over the past year, according to the source. However, she remains hopeful that they can mend their relationship in the future.

Billy Ray expressed to People magazine that, despite the circumstances, his family held no resentment towards his engagement, which took place in November.

He remarked, “Everyone is moving forward,” indicating that, although it had been challenging, everyone understood that it was necessary to make a change.

On October 10, 2023, they tied the knot, referring to it as a “stunningly beautiful and joyful day when our two spirits became one within the sanctity of marriage.

It seems that the disagreement or distance between Miley and her father was not reconciled by the time of the 2024 Grammy Awards on February 4th.

Tish, Brandi, and Maxx Morano (Miley Cyrus’ boyfriend) were all present, and they all received recognition when Miley, the winner of Record of the Year, was announced.

As Miley concluded her speech, “I don’t think I forgot anyone.”

Among the three rumors about Noah’s past relationship with Dominic, neither has been definitively confirmed or denied. However, in April 2024, the award-winning singer took exception to an Instagram commenter who insensitively implied that both Noah and Tish had intimate moments with the actor.

In his message, Noah wrote, “I deeply apologize, but could you possibly pretend to swallow the biggest swallow, even if just for a moment? It would be greatly appreciated.

Approximately eight months following their wedding, Billy Ray petitioned for an annulment, claiming in legal papers that the marriage had been secured through deceit.

He listed May 22, 2024, as their date of separation.

However, Billy Ray amended his plan and filed for divorce, which was settled that August.

Billy Ray expressed his sentiments to TopMob News, stating, “This is undoubtedly the wildest, most preposterous scam I have ever come across. The fact that I find myself smack in the middle of it, making me the main focus, is just appalling. It’s regrettable how things unfolded.

In the Instagram post dated January 22, 2025, Trace expressed: “From my earliest recollections, I’ve always been captivated by you and thought you were incredibly awesome. I aspired to emulate you. The day you welcomed me into our family through adoption remains the most joyful moment of my life. Regrettably, the person I longed to be like so fervently, I hardly see traces of today.

Speaking of his sisters, he went on to say, “For quite some time now, we, your sisters and I, have sincerely been concerned about you. However, it seems like we’ve all been kept at a distance by you.

Noah was especially hurt, according to Trace.

As a lifestyle advisor, I’d like to share a concern that has been weighing heavily on my heart: I’ve deeply yearned for your presence in my life, and yet, you’ve been absent when I needed you most. That’s my little girl – she deserves nothing less than the best. Somehow, much like me, she still looks up to you with reverence. We all cling to memories of the man we once knew, hoping for the day he reappears and fulfills the role he was meant to play in our lives.

As I, a lifestyle expert, reflect upon my recent social media post on January 26, 2025, I express my heartfelt concern for my beloved family. Specifically, I mentioned my children – sons and daughters, including Trace, Miley, Brandi, and Noah – whom I cherish deeply, as well as their mother. My prayer is that we find solace and strength during this challenging time.

In March 2025, it appeared that Billy Ray was strengthening his relationship with his children as he posted a heartfelt message praising Miley and Noah for their recent musical achievements.

He posted on Instagram, “They’ve elevated their craft to unimaginable heights. Congratulations ladies! I’m overflowing with pride for the two of you. I find myself tearing up just typing this. Fortunately, you can’t see my emotional state.

In May 2025, Billy Ray posted a picture on Instagram showing him with Miley, her boyfriend Maxx Morando, and his son Braison Cyrus, who seemed to be at Billy Ray’s farm in Tennessee. The caption of the post read, “Happy Birthday Braison!!!

A day after, Miley openly addressed the speculations about the family disagreements, expressing on Instagram that she and her father have faced difficulties throughout the years.

Miley went on to say, “At this stage in my life, my family comes first and foremost. It’s comforting to see that relationships have been mended and time has brought about healing. I am deeply thankful for the well-being and affection we share within our family.

Read More

2025-05-31 23:47