Billy Ray Cyrus has had some difficult times in his life, but is all loved-up with actress Elizabeth Hurley, with the couple having gone Instagram official recently
Billy Ray Cyrus is in a love bubble at the moment, having described new woman Elizabeth Hurley as the “love of his life”. The showbiz couple went Instagram official in April, with a loved-up post together.
But it’s been far from plain sailing for the Achy Breaky Heart singer, who is dad to former Disney star Miley Cyrus. Billy’s life, especially his relationship history, has been up and down over the past few years.
In 2022, he and ex-wife Tish filed for divorce after 30 years together. Months later Billy, 63, started dating Australian singer Firerose, real name Johanna Rose Hodges, who is almost 30 years younger, before getting married in 2023.
Billy filed for divorce just months after in May 2024, which wasn’t free from drama. So as he moves on with “love of his life” Liz Hurley, Daily Star takes a look at the many ups and downs he’s faced.
Miley Cyrus ‘feud’
Sources have claimed that difficulties in Billy’s life stemmed from him being “bitter” over daughter Miley’s global success. After he split from Tish, it was reported that Miley was “no longer on speaking terms” with her dad.
She snubbed him in her acceptance speech at the 2024 Grammys too, saying: “Thanks to my mommy, my sister, my love, and my main gays because look how good I look. I don’t think I forgot anyone. But I might have forgotten underwear.”
Months later, an audio recording of Billy was leaked in which he referred to Miley as “that devil” and a “skank”. However, he did post a birthday tribute to her in November of the same year.
Fast forward to this year and Miley revealed she was no longer estranged from her dad. She told The New York Times: “At first it’s hard, because the little kid in you reacts before the adult in you can go, ‘Yes, that’s your dad, but that’s just another person that deserves to be in his bliss and to be happy.’ My child self has caught up.”
Bitter divorces
Billy Ray and Tish’s divorce was a huge turning point for the Cyrus family, with the kids taking sides in the fall-out.
However their relationship had not been easy for over a decade, as Billy had filed for divorce back in 2010 before eventually dropping it. Then in 2013, Tish filed for divorce, but after couples’ therapy they stayed together.
Again in 2017 they filed for divorce, but the case was dropped after neither turned up to court. The divorce was eventually finalised in 2023, after they’d been separated for some time.
After Tish, Billy Ray married singer Firerose, but filed for divorce after just seven months. What followed were a string of allegations from both sides of fraud, abuse and retaliation.
Billy Ray first requested a temporary restraining order from her in June 2024 to stop him accessing his money, claiming she’d racked up credit card bills of almost $100,000 in a matter of days.
A day later, Firereose alleged she was the “victim of extreme verbal, emotional and psychological abuse” in another lawsuit. According to her lawyers, Billy Ray had used drugs, with his alleged marijuana use making him “unpredictable and volatile”.
A number of other accusations would come out, with Billy Ray also claiming he was the one who had been abused by his wife.
The divorce was finalised in summer 2024.
Son’s plea
In January, Trace Cyrus, who is Billy’s adopted son from Tish’s previous relationship, spoke out on social media after the country singer performed at Donald Trump’s inauguration.
The performance was plagued by technical issues, forcing Billy to sing a cappella at times. At another point, just his silhouette could be seen on stage while music played in the background.
Billy brushed it off, saying he “wouldn’t have missed the honour”, but Trace, who was a member of rock band Metro Station, shared his concerns.
He wrote on Instagram: “Since my earliest memories all I can remember is being obsessed with you and thinking you were the coolest person ever. I wanted to be just like you. The day you adopted me was the happiest day of my life.
“Sadly the man that I wanted so desperately to be just like I barely recognise now. It seems this world has beaten you down and it’s become obvious to everyone but you.
“You may be upset with me posting this but I really could care less at this point. Me and the girls have been genuinely worried about you for years but you’ve pushed all of us away.”
He went on: “Noah desperately has wanted you to be a part of her life and you haven’t even been there for her. That’s your baby girl. She deserves better. Somehow just like me she still idolises you though.”
Trace continued on, saying that he and his siblings try to remember Billy how he had been when they were younger. However he took particular issue with Billy seemingly missing his grandmother’s funeral.
He added: “As I write this with tears in my eyes I hope you realise this message only comes from a place of love and also fear that the world may lose you far too soon. I love you Dad.
“We haven’t talked in a while but I’m over a year and a half clean from alcohol. Guess what? I feel amazing. I don’t know what you’re struggling with exactly but I think I have a pretty good idea and I’d love to help you if you would open up and receive the help.”
Since then, Trace has branded his dad a “clown” on Instagram. He said this week: “This man is so hungry for fame it’s pathetic. He really flew to Italy for a fashion show but wouldn’t come to LA for Mammie’s funeral while he was still married to my mom.
“Even after his daughter got him a 60k private jet like he demanded then he still didn’t come even after the plane was paid for. You’re the lamest man to ever walk planet earth. Honestly embarrassed to have ever considered you my idol.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
