The Cyrus family, known for their entertainment industry presence, has been navigating a period of significant personal transitions and public drama. Following Billy Ray Cyrus and Tish Cyrus’ divorce in April 2022, the family dynamics have been under scrutiny, with new relationships and evolving family bonds taking center stage. This timeline explores the key events in the Cyrus family’s recent history.
The Split: Billy Ray and Tish Cyrus Divorce After Decades
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After nearly three decades of marriage and raising five children, Tish Cyrus filed for divorce from Billy Ray Cyrus on April 6, 2022, in Williamson County, Tennessee. Citing “irreconcilable differences,” the divorce marked the official end of their relationship, though they had reportedly been living apart for over two years. This wasn’t the first time the couple had considered divorce, having filed twice before, but this time, it was definitive.
In a joint statement released to PEOPLE, Billy Ray and Tish emphasized their enduring family bond despite the separation. “It is after 30 years, five amazing children and a lifetime of memories, we have decided to go our separate ways — not with sadness, but with love in our hearts,” the statement read. They highlighted their shared history and commitment to co-parenting, stating, “We will always be family and look forward to a continued and loving shared experience as friends and parents.”
Musical Bonds: Noah and Billy Ray Cyrus Collaborate Amidst Family Changes
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Months after their parents’ divorce announcement and Billy Ray’s engagement to Firerose, Noah Cyrus and her father, Billy Ray, released a song together in September 2022. The track, “Noah (Stand Still),” featured on Noah’s debut album, The Hardest Part, and held deep personal meaning for the father-daughter duo.
The song’s inspiration stemmed from Noah’s journey to recovery from Xanax addiction, during which she visited Billy Ray in Nashville. He encouraged her to “stand still” and connect with nature, a piece of wisdom passed down through their family. Billy Ray publicly supported Noah’s music, sharing the song’s cover art and expressing pride in her work. Noah reciprocated the sentiment, calling her father her “hero and inspiration” and acknowledging the song’s connection to her father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.
“No Hard Feelings”: Billy Ray Cyrus Addresses Family Dynamics
In November 2022, Billy Ray Cyrus spoke exclusively to PEOPLE, addressing rumors of family tension following his engagement to Firerose. He asserted that “there’s no hard feelings” within the family regarding his new relationship. Referencing his divorce from Tish, Billy Ray stated, “Everyone knew that that relationship was over a long time ago,” suggesting a sense of closure and acceptance within the family. He emphasized that everyone was “turning the page” and moving forward. Regarding the divorce, he acknowledged it had been “a lot” but reiterated that it was a necessary change for everyone involved.
Weddings and Absences: Tish Cyrus Marries Dominic Purcell
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August 2023 saw Tish Cyrus marry Prison Break actor Dominic Purcell in a small ceremony held in Miley Cyrus’ Malibu backyard. While Miley, along with siblings Trace and Brandi, were present and actively involved in the wedding (Miley even walked Tish down the aisle), noticeably absent were Tish’s youngest children, Noah and Braison.
Speculation about a family rift intensified when, on the day of the wedding, Noah Cyrus posted an Instagram story wearing a Billy Ray Cyrus T-shirt while spending time with Braison. This absence fueled rumors of divisions within the Cyrus family, particularly concerning the evolving relationships after the divorce.
Differing Perspectives on Fame: Miley and Billy Ray Cyrus’ Contrasting Experiences
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In her Hulu special Endless Summer Vacation: Continued (Backyard Sessions), which aired in August 2023, Miley Cyrus offered rare public commentary on her relationship with her father and their different experiences with fame. Miley highlighted her stable upbringing on a soundstage, contrasting it with Billy Ray’s different path to success.
“My dad grew up the opposite of me,” Miley explained, emphasizing her financial and emotional stability compared to Billy Ray’s background. She suggested that fame impacted her father more profoundly, stating, “Him feeling loved by a big audience impacted him emotionally more than it ever could me.” Miley acknowledged the contrasting ways they each related to fame and success, suggesting it was a “wildly different” experience for them both.
Trace Cyrus Reflects on Family Fame and Career Paths
Later in August 2023, Trace Cyrus engaged with fans on Instagram Stories, sharing his perspective on how being part of a “famous family” had influenced his career. While expressing love for his family, Trace candidly admitted that he believed he “would be much more successful” had he not been associated with the Cyrus name.
He elaborated on the challenges of being judged and having his hard work “discredited” due to his family connections. Trace referenced his former band, Metro Station, as an example of his independent achievements, noting he secured a record deal before his label knew of his family ties.
Billy Ray Cyrus Marries Firerose
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On October 10, 2023, Billy Ray Cyrus and Firerose officially married, a year after announcing their engagement. The couple shared the news via a joint statement on Instagram, describing their wedding day as “beautiful” and “joyous.” They expressed the significance of their union, stating, “10/10/23 will always be the beautiful, joyous day that our two souls united as one in holy matrimony.”
Grammy Omission: Miley Cyrus’ Acceptance Speech
At the Grammy Awards in February 2024, Miley Cyrus won two awards, accompanied by her mother Tish and sister Brandi. During her acceptance speech for record of the year, Miley notably thanked her mother, sister, and boyfriend Maxx Morando, but made no mention of her father, Billy Ray Cyrus. This omission further fueled speculation about the state of Miley and Billy Ray’s relationship amidst the ongoing family transitions.
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Tish Cyrus Details “Psychological Breakdown” and Divorce
In February 2024, Tish Cyrus spoke candidly on the Call Her Daddy podcast about her divorce from Billy Ray. She revealed that their marriage had been struggling for a long time, and she had stayed “out of fear” of being alone. Tish explained that the COVID-19 pandemic provided her with space for self-reflection, as she and Billy Ray lived separately during that time.
She described experiencing a “complete psychological breakdown” following her mother’s death, which occurred during this period of separation from Billy Ray. Tish admitted to host Alex Cooper that, in retrospect, leaving the marriage earlier, during previous divorce filings, “would have been better,” particularly for her youngest daughter, Noah.
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Noah Cyrus’ Loyalty to Billy Ray Post-Divorce
Sources revealed in February 2024 that Noah Cyrus had remained “loyal” to Billy Ray following his divorce from Tish. Insiders told PEOPLE that “Noah is very loyal to Billy Ray” and that they have “always had a really close relationship.” The divorce was described as “really hard” for all the children, but also “long overdue,” suggesting complex family dynamics amidst the separation.
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Noah Cyrus and Dominic Purcell’s Past Relationship
Further details emerged in March 2024, revealing that Noah Cyrus and Dominic Purcell had a casual, “friends with benefits” relationship prior to his involvement with Tish Cyrus. Sources told PEOPLE that “Noah and Dominic were seeing each other…off and on” before Tish began dating the actor. Reportedly, “Tish knew he had been seeing Noah” when their relationship began. While Noah and Purcell were no longer involved when Tish and Dominic connected, the timeline reportedly created tension, with claims that “Tish never gave Noah the chance to talk about all of this before they got married.”
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Miley Cyrus “Had No Idea” About Family Drama
In March 2024, sources indicated that Miley Cyrus was unaware of the alleged drama surrounding Noah, Tish, and Dominic Purcell. An insider claimed, “Miley had no idea about the drama with Dominic. No idea at all.” Reportedly, Miley confronted her mother about the situation, finding it “strange” but ultimately wanting her mother’s happiness.
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Noah Cyrus Celebrates Tish’s Birthday
Despite rumored estrangement, Noah Cyrus publicly acknowledged Tish’s birthday in May 2024. She shared a throwback photo on Instagram with her mother, captioned “happy birthday mom,” suggesting a possible attempt at reconciliation or at least public civility amidst family complexities.
Billy Ray Cyrus Files for Divorce from Firerose
In a surprising turn of events, Billy Ray Cyrus filed for divorce from Firerose in May 2024, after only seven months of marriage. Court documents cited “irreconcilable differences and inappropriate marital conduct” as reasons for the divorce. Cyrus also sought an annulment based on fraud allegations. Following the news, Billy Ray and Firerose reportedly unfollowed each other on Instagram, signaling a definitive end to their brief marriage.
Billy Ray Cyrus’ Nostalgic Post and Miley’s Words on Parents
In June 2024, Billy Ray Cyrus shared a nostalgic Instagram post recalling “best memories” with Miley at CMA Fest, accompanied by a framed photo from her childhood and lyrics from Miley’s song “Flowers.” He praised Miley as “a survivor and a true artist,” emphasizing their shared connection with fans.
Around the same time, Miley Cyrus appeared on My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman, offering insights into her relationship with both parents. While naming her mother, Tish, as her “hero,” Miley expressed “a lot of love” for Billy Ray, acknowledging the distinct contributions of both parents to her life and career. She credited Billy Ray’s creative influence and grounded nature for shaping her, noting he provided a “map of what to do and what not to do” in navigating fame. However, when discussing her move to Los Angeles for Hannah Montana, Miley jokingly attributed “narcissism” inherited from her father, focusing primarily on her own experience and career trajectory, showcasing a complex dynamic within the Miley Cyrus Family narrative.
Continued Family Complexity
The Cyrus family timeline reveals a complex web of relationships, marked by divorces, new marriages, and evolving family dynamics. While public statements and social media posts offer glimpses into their personal lives, the full picture of their internal relationships remains nuanced and multifaceted. The family, deeply rooted in the public eye, continues to navigate personal transitions while maintaining their individual careers and public personas.
