Billy Ray Cyrus Opens Up About Finding Joy Again — And the Surprising Text That Changed Everything
It’s been a rollercoaster few years for country star Billy Ray Cyrus, but things have taken a surprisingly sweet turn — and it all started with a text from someone he hadn’t spoken to in two years: actress Elizabeth Hurley.
“It’s just a good thing,” Cyrus said during a heartfelt chat on Apple Music Country’s The Ty Bentli Show. “It’s been a long time since I’ve been this happy.”
After going through some tough times — including the end of his marriage to Tish Cyrus in 2022 and a brief marriage to singer Firerose, which ended in May 2024 — Cyrus wasn’t exactly in the brightest headspace. But just when life had knocked him flat, a little spark came through his phone.
A Message That Mattered
He recalled getting a text during one of his lowest moments. “I didn’t even know the number,” he said. “But the message said something like, ‘Hey, it looks like life might be a little tough. Just wanted you to know I’m in your corner.’”
Turns out, that unexpected text was from none other than Elizabeth Hurley — yes, that Elizabeth Hurley, of Austin Powers and British glam fame. “So, I text back and go, ‘Who is this?’ And she replies, ‘Elizabeth Hurley.’” Cyrus laughed. “Of all the people to reach out in that moment... a friend who had once made me laugh.”
That simple gesture brought Billy Ray back to a memory that’s stuck with him for decades — a time in 1992 when he was feeling battered by critics, and a legendary friend, Johnny Cash, had his back. “Johnny said, ‘All things that are good come from almighty God above. Stuff happens. But in your case, the good outweighs the bad. Let ‘em have it. I’m in your corner.’”
Hurley’s message felt like déjà vu — a reminder that someone out there still saw him, still believed in him.
How It All Began: A Christmas Movie and Some Unexpected Chemistry
Their story actually started a couple of years earlier — on the sunny Caribbean island of Nevis, where they were filming the holiday movie Christmas in Paradise in 2022. It was right after Cyrus had split from Tish, and the set was far from the chaos back home.
“We barely had any scenes together,” Billy Ray said. “But the few times we did, there was this natural chemistry. We just laughed — and at that time, I wasn’t laughing a lot.”
It wasn’t just about the laughter, though. “We’re so different, it’s kind of wild. But somehow, in all the weirdest ways, we had more in common than not.”
But after filming wrapped? Radio silence. They didn’t speak for two whole years.
From Silence to Something Special
Fast-forward to that unexpected text. A random act of kindness. A spark reignited.
And now? The world found out about their budding relationship on Easter Sunday, when they posted a cozy photo on Instagram — Billy Ray kissing Hurley on the cheek, both of them smiling ear to ear.
“There will be one coming where she’s kissing me,” Cyrus teased. “People have been saying, ‘Why is he always kissing her?’ But I can’t help it. When she sticks her cheek out, I just… kiss it.”
Their bond might have started with laughter, but it’s grown into something deeper.
“She’s just a great human being,” he said of the 59-year-old actress. “If all we ever were is the friends that we are, I’d be lucky. She’s brilliantly smart — reminds me a lot of Dolly Parton, honestly. A sharp businesswoman. And if you can laugh together, you can get through anything.”
No Pressure, Just Peace
What makes this chapter of his life feel so fresh and fulfilling? There are no expectations. No pressure to label it. Just peace.
“It’s just been beautiful,” Billy Ray reflected. “Her and her son — I love him a lot. God brought them into my life at the perfect time.”
For the Achy Breaky Heart and Some Gave All singer, it’s not just about romance. It’s about healing. About rediscovering joy. And maybe most importantly, about feeling seen.
“It was one of those times where I was like, ‘Can life get any harder?’ I felt like I was already flat on my back. Then suddenly, this person — who I hadn’t talked to in years — reaches out. That moment… it meant something.”
Family Ties and Lessons Learned
Billy Ray knows a thing or two about family and complicated relationships. With ex-wife Tish, he shares five children — daughters Miley, Noah, and Brandi, and sons Trace and Braison. He also has another son, Christopher Cody, from a previous relationship with Kristen Luckey.
And while public attention often zeroes in on his superstar daughter Miley, he’s been working on navigating life as a dad, a musician, and a man trying to find peace after heartbreak.
Hurley, too, comes from her own storied background. She was married to businessman Arun Nayar from 2007 to 2011 and has one son, Damian Hurley, whom she had with the late Steve Bing. The two have always had a close-knit bond, and Damian has become a prominent figure in fashion and entertainment in his own right.
Highlights You Don’t Want to Miss:
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⭐ A Hollywood-Style Text Message That Rekindled Friendship
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💬 “Who is this?” — Billy Ray’s hilarious response to a heartfelt message
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🏝️ Caribbean Movie Set Sparks Unexpected Chemistry
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📸 That Easter Insta-post that had fans swooning
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❤️ “She reminds me of Dolly Parton” — high praise from the country legend
A New Chapter, A Fresh Outlook
Though Billy Ray Cyrus has faced some storms, it’s clear he’s finding his sunshine again — and he’s not afraid to smile about it. Whether it’s a cheek kiss on Instagram or reminiscing about laughs on a movie set, he’s embracing the simple things that make life feel good again.
“No expectations of where we go from here,” he said, his voice full of calm. “It’s just a good thing. And I’m thankful.”
Sometimes, all it takes is a message from an old friend — and the courage to text back.
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