Billy Ray Cyrus breaks silence on shock romance with Elizabeth Hurley as he reveals who made the first move
SMITTEN Billy Ray Cyrus has broken his silence on his shock romance with Elizabeth Hurley and also revealed who made the first move – and you might be surprised.
Country singer Billy Ray, 63, and Liz, 59, announced their relationship over the weekend with a sweet loved-up picture.
Liz and Billy Ray stunned their followers with a cute picture of themselves snuggling on his Nashville ranch.
The photo of the pair – who met in 2022 when they filmed the movie Christmas In Paradise – sent fans into meltdown, and they have since been dying to know more details.
Well now that wait is over, and the Achy Breaky Heart star has finally spilled the beans on how they became a couple.
The legendary star revealed how he found love again with the Austin Powers star following his messy divorce with Firerose last year.
In fact, it was during this difficult time that Liz reached out to him, sparking the first move in their love story.
Speaking on Apple Music Country’s The Ty Bentli Show, Billy Ray said: “I felt like, ‘Wow, can life get any harder? Can it get any tougher?’ For me, at a certain point it was like, you can’t get knocked down any flatter than laying on your back when life is kicking you.
“And in this moment… a friend reached out.”
Billy then said that Liz’s message read something along the lines of: “Hey, it looks like life might be a little bit tough and just wanted you to know I’m in your corner; you’ve got a friend in your corner.”
However Billy – who is dad to superstar Miley Cyrus – revealed he didn’t know at first who sent the message.
“So, I text back, I go, ‘Who is this?’ And it’s like, ‘Elizabeth Hurley.’ Of all the people to reach out to me in that second that maybe I needed most… this friend who made me laugh,” he said.
Despite not seeing each other for two years after filming for Christmas In Paradise wrapped, the pair had “instant chemistry”.
Continuing to talk about his new love, a smitten Billy Ray said: “She’s so impressively brilliant. She reminds me a lot of Dolly Parton. She’s a very smart businesswoman,
“If you can laugh together, you can make it through everything.”
Fans will also be thrilled to know that there will be more loved up snaps coming their way from the new couple.
Billy Ray teased: “There will be one coming where she’s kissing me because people have been saying, ‘Why’s he always kissing her?’
“Unfortunately when I see her, when she puts her cheek out there, I don’t know what happens, I just kiss it.”
The loved-up star also said that their relationship has “been beautiful”.
“It’s great that God brought them into my life when he did. It’s just a good thing. It’s been a long time since I’ve been this happy,” the singer revealed.
More on Billy Ray Cyrus' Family
Billy Ray Cyrus has been married three times and has six children, including three of them who are singers. Find out who the Achy Breaky Heart singer has been married to.
Billy married Cindy Smith in 1986.
They did not have any children and divorced in 1991.
In 1992, Billy Ray became a father for the first time as waitress, Kristin Luckey gave birth to Christopher Cody Cyrus.
Leticia “Tish” Finley also gave birth to Miley Ray Cyurs (born Destiny Hope) the same year.
Miley went on to become an actress and singer.
Billy Ray and Tish got married in 1993 and he continued to support Kristin and Christopher financially.
Billy Ray and Tish welcomed their son, Braison Chance Cyrus, in 1994.
In 2000, the couple had their second daughter, Noah Lindsey Cyrus.
Noah is also a singer.
Billy Ray also adopted Tish’s two children from a previous relationship -Brandi Glenn Cyrus (born 1987), and son Trace Dempsey Cyrus (born Neil Timothy Helson, in 1989).
Trace is a member of the band, Metro Station.
He became a grandfather for the first time when Braison and his wife welcomed their first child in 2021.
Billy had filed for divorce from Tish in 2010, but dropped the proceedings in 2011.
Tish filed for divorce in 2013, but went to therapy and dropped the divorce.
They filed for divorce one more time in 2022, and this time they went through with it, after being separated for two years.
Billy Ray got engaged to singer Firerose in 2022 and they got married in 2023.
They do not have any children together.
In May 2024, Billy Ray filed for divorce from Firerose, accusing her of cheating on him.
LIZ IN LOVE
Billy isn’t the only smitten kitten, as The U.S. Sun revealed this week how Liz “couldn’t be happier” with her new love.
One insider, who knows the actress well, told us he knows she he is head over heels for Billy Ray.
“She feels brand new being with him,” the source told us. “She thinks he is the best guy possible for her and hopes they can build something unique together.”
“They are so compatible,” he continued, “their personalities match so well. It’s beautiful to see.”
Liz has been married once before, to Indian businessman Arun Nayar.
Her son Damian’s father was the late film producer Steve Bing, and she famously dated Hugh Grant.
MESSY DIVORCE
Billy Ray’s happiness with Liz comes after a very messy recent divorce.
The country star has been married three times, with his most recent marriage to Firerose lasting just seven months.
They wed in 2021, but were soon filing for divorce, which was only finalised last year.
A nasty divorce battle followed, with Firerose walking away from the relationship with $0.
But it seems she may still be feeling sore after the bitterness of how her marriage ended.
A source close to her told The Sun: “Firerose is currently focused on her music, which continues to inspire new souls globally every day.
“She’s rising in her next chapter of artistic evolution, which reflects the profound strength, healing, and transformation she’s been forged through.”
The insider then added: “As an advocate for narcissistic abuse survivors, she’s living her purpose by uplifting others out of the darkness with God’s love at the forefront.
“She’s devoted to lighting the way for those still suffering in toxic environments.”