How Billy Ray Cyrus Protected Miley Cyrus Amid Childhood Fame

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Miley Cyrushad the best protector in both of her worlds. 

Miley Cyrus shared how her father, Billy Ray Cyrus, protected her while she was growing up as a young star, particularly during her time on the popular Disney show Hannah Montana.

Miley, 33, explained to Variety that her father was present on the set every day, ensuring he was always aware of what was happening. She added that she was never left unsupervised in her dressing room.

Billy Ray Cyrus, 64, has demonstrated his caring side as a father on multiple occasions. He shares four children – Brandi, 38, Trace, 37, Braison, 31, and Noah, 26 – with his ex-wife, Tish Cyrus. Miley Cyrus has also praised her parents for allowing her to pursue her own path instead of pressuring her for fame to support the family.

Many young performers feel pressure because their parents are more invested in their success than they are, or they end up feeling like they have to financially support their whole family, the singer explained. Thankfully, that wasn’t her experience. Her parents allowed her to keep all the money she earned, which she appreciated.

Billy Ray and Tish Cyrus, ever supportive parents, will be featured in Miley’s Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special coming to Disney+ on March 24th. A recent trailer showed the former couple happily walking around the show’s set with their daughter.

Miley Cyrus told her mom, ‘I enjoyed playing Hannah Montana, but I love being myself now. You really helped me become the person I am today.’ She then told her dad simply, ‘I love you.’

This heartwarming moment happened almost a year after Miley and her father, Billy Ray, repaired their relationship after years of distance. They began to reconnect last May when Billy Ray publicly praised Miley’s bravery, wisdom, and strength, saying these qualities were helping them heal and grow closer.

Four months later, the singer of “Endless Summer Vacation” performed her song “Secrets” and explained it was a long-overdue gesture of peace towards him.

Miley recently shared on Monica Lewinsky’s Reclaiming podcast that she wrote a song inspired by her dad. She explained she hoped he’d feel comfortable confiding in her, even about difficult family matters, and that she wanted to be a supportive listener as the middle child, feeling mature enough to handle sensitive information.

She explained that she tries to quickly overcome any awkwardness when trying to reconnect with her father. She focuses on simply being present and enjoying time together, believing that creating positive experiences will naturally lead to more open and honest conversations later on.

Keep reading to see more about the Cyrus family…

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

They already had a daughter, Destiny Hope Cyrus (known as Miley Cyrus), and Tish was expecting their son, Braison Cyrus, who was born on May 9, 1994.

Before Miley was born on November 23, 1992, Billy Ray Cyrus’s former partner, Kristin Luckey, had a son, Christopher Cody Cyrus, on April 8th.

When Billy Ray Cyrus married Tish, he became the stepfather to her two children, Brandi Cyrus (born May 26, 1987) and Trace Cyrus (born February 24, 1989). Their biological father is Tish’s former husband, Baxter Helson.

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

From 2006 to 2010, Billy Ray Cyrus played the father of Miley Stewart’s character in the Disney Channel show Hannah Montana, as well as in the 2009 Hannah Montana movie. His character was the father of a typical teenager who secretly lived a double life as a pop star.

When the Cyrus family lived in Nashville, Billy Ray and Miley relocated to Los Angeles to help launch Miley’s career in entertainment.

Billy Ray and Tish announced they were divorcing in October 2010, but they reconciled and got back together the next year.

The couple filed for divorce once more in June 2013, but quickly changed their minds a month later. They told TopMob News that couples counseling had significantly improved their relationship.

Before Miley and her father reconciled, news emerged that he had filed for divorce after 19 years of marriage. In response, Miley tweeted at him, “@billyraycyrus Since you’re not responding to my texts or emails, would you prefer to communicate publicly like this?”

Miley and Liam Hemsworth first worked together in the 2010 film The Last Song and had an on-again, off-again relationship for about ten years. They got married in December 2018, shortly after a fire destroyed their house in Malibu.

Okay, so Miley actually explained it on TikTok, and it totally broke my heart. She said the whole thing – whatever ‘it’ was, and honestly, it’s EVERYTHING to me – came from a really tough place, like she was just trying to pick up the pieces and get things going again as fast as she could. It just makes me love her even more, knowing she went through all that and still shines!

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

According to a source, it’s really quite straightforward: they were young when they fell in love, but they’ve grown into different people since then.

Braison and his wife Stella Cyrus welcomed son Bear Chance Cyrus on June 8, 2021. 

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

She filed for divorce, stating that she and her husband, who she’d been married to for nearly 30 years, had been living separately since February 2020.

After thirty incredible years together, five wonderful children, and a lifetime of beautiful memories, Billy Ray and I have decided to move forward separately. It’s not a sad decision, though – we’re choosing this with a lot of love and respect for each other. We’ve grown up together, built a family we’re incredibly proud of, and now we’re both ready to explore what’s next for us individually. It feels like the right time for both of us to create our own paths.

The former couple emphasized that their decision to separate wasn’t made easily or hastily. They shared that they will always remain a family and hope to continue sharing a loving relationship as friends and co-parents.

Billy Ray became engaged to singer Firerose, who is 27 years younger than him, in August 2022, but they didn’t publicly announce it until November of that year.

Firerose shared with People magazine that music was her biggest passion growing up in Australia. She also said she’s been a fan of his music for as long as she can remember.

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

Billy Ray described how his life as a touring musician abruptly changed. It was a period of huge transition, and during that time, Firerose, who was a constant source of positivity and a close friend, became something more. As they started making music together, their connection deepened from a musical partnership into a loving relationship – a pure and joyful connection he hadn’t thought possible.

Shortly after her ex-husband announced his engagement in November 2022, Tish publicly revealed her relationship with Dominic Purcell, known for his role in Prison Break.

They announced their engagement in April 2023 and were married that August in Malibu. Miley, Trace, and Brandi stood with their mother during the sunset ceremony.

Trace shared a photo with his siblings and the bride, writing that life is constantly changing and full of surprises. He believes it’s key to appreciate good memories, be excited about what’s to come, and focus on enjoying each moment, because that’s all that truly matters.

Miley shared with Vogue that seeing her mom so happy and in love is deeply moving. She described the relationship between her mom and Dom as a truly sweet and authentic connection, feeling like a first love – a perfect match for her mom’s youthful spirit.

According to a source who spoke to TopMob News in October 2022, Miley wasn’t happy with her dad’s new relationship and didn’t have a close connection with his future wife.

A source said the divorce has made it difficult for her to connect with her father, especially over the past year. She’s hopeful they can repair their relationship eventually.

Billy Ray told People magazine in November that his family was supportive of his engagement and didn’t hold any resentment about it.

“People are ready to move on,” he explained. “Things have been difficult, but everyone agreed it was time for something new.”

He and Firerose married on October 10, 2023, describing it as a wonderful and happy day when they joined their lives together in marriage.

It seemed Miley Cyrus and her father were still not on good terms as of the night of the 2024 Grammys on February 4th.

Tish, Brandi, and Miley’s boyfriend, Maxx Morando, were all present when Miley won Record of the Year, and she publicly thanked them all.

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

There’s been no official confirmation or denial regarding rumors that Noah was involved with Dominic before his relationship with Tish. However, the singer publicly responded to an inappropriate comment on Instagram in April 2024, after someone suggested both Noah and Tish had a romantic relationship with the actor.

Noah responded with a highly offensive and vulgar message, expressing a wish for someone to be harmed. The message included extremely inappropriate and aggressive language.

Just eight months after getting married, Billy Ray filed for an annulment, claiming in legal documents that he was tricked into the marriage.

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 described the situation as “the craziest scam I’ve ever encountered.” He added that he’s a central figure and the main target, and expressed disappointment with how things unfolded, according to a statement to TopMob News.

Trace shared a heartfelt message to his father on Instagram, recalling his lifelong admiration. He wrote that from as far back as he could remember, he looked up to his father and dreamed of being just like him, calling the day he was adopted the happiest of his life. He sadly added that he now feels distant from the man he once idolized.

He said he and his sisters had been concerned about him for a long time, but he’d always kept them at a distance.

Noah was especially hurt, according to Trace.

He wrote that Noah has always wished you were involved in her life, but you haven’t been there for her. He emphasized that she’s your daughter and deserves your presence. Despite everything, she still looks up to you, just like he does. They’re all holding onto happy memories of who you used to be and hoping you’ll be that person again.

Following a post from his son Trace expressing concern for him and his sisters—Miley, Brandi, and Noah—country music star Billy Ray Cyrus shared a message on January 26, 2025, asking for prayers for his family, including his children and their mother.

In March 2025, Billy Ray appeared to be strengthening his relationship with his daughters, Miley and Noah, when he publicly celebrated their new music.

Okay, honestly? Seeing those girls absolutely crush it with their art brought tears to my eyes! I was so incredibly proud, I actually got emotional posting about it. It’s amazing to witness that level of dedication and talent – a true breakthrough moment. I may have needed a tissue… or two!

In May 2025, Billy Ray Cyrus posted a photo on Instagram with his daughter Miley, her boyfriend Maxx Morando, and his son Braison Cyrus. The picture seems to have been taken at Billy Ray’s farm in Tennessee, and he wished Braison a happy birthday in the caption.

A day after the rumors about a family disagreement surfaced, Miley addressed the situation on Instagram, acknowledging that she and her father have faced difficulties in the past.

Now that I’m in my thirties, my family comes first. I feel good knowing that relationships have been repaired and time has helped everyone heal. I’m thankful for the health and love we all share.

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2026-03-19 19:48