Hollywood families are messy. You know it, I know it, and the Cyrus family definitely knows it. For a long time, it felt like Billy Ray Cyrus and Miley were the gold standard for a father-daughter duo in the industry. They gave us Hannah Montana, after all. But then things got quiet.
Really quiet.
If you were watching the 2024 Grammys, you probably felt that awkward chill when Miley won Record of the Year for "Flowers." She thanked her mom, Tish. She thanked her sister, Brandi. She even joked about forgetting her underwear. One name was missing: Billy Ray. It wasn't a mistake. It was a statement.
The Divorce That Cracked the Foundation
The rift didn't just happen overnight. It was the 2022 divorce between Billy Ray and Tish Cyrus that basically nuked the family dynamic. They had been married for nearly 30 years. When that ended, the kids seemingly had to pick sides. Miley, Brandi, and Trace stayed close with Tish. Noah and Braison seemed to lean more toward Billy Ray.
It was a literal house divided.
Miley has since admitted that she "owned a lot of her mom's pain" during that time. Honestly, that’s such a human thing to do. When you see your mom hurting, you get defensive. Miley stopped following her dad on Instagram. They didn't speak for a long time. It was a "dark decade" of tension, as she later called it.
The Firerose Chapter
Then there was the Firerose situation. Billy Ray got engaged to the Australian singer just months after the divorce filing. They married in October 2023, but the marriage only lasted seven months before it ended in a messy, public legal battle involving allegations of "fraud" and "inappropriate marital conduct."
For Miley, this was likely a bridge too far. She didn't attend the wedding. Insiders at the time said she found it "hard to connect" with her dad while he was in that relationship. It’s tough to watch a parent move on that quickly, especially with someone closer to your own age.
The Turning Point: "Musical Medicine"
Things started to shift in 2025. It turns out, music really is the only language this family speaks fluently. Miley wrote a song called "Secrets" specifically as a peace offering for her dad. She didn't call him for a "therapy session." She sent him a track.
The song featured legends like Lindsey Buckingham and Mick Fleetwood. Billy Ray reportedly cried when he heard it. It was the first time they had communicated in any real way in years.
"We just kind of moved forward. We didn't feel that there needed to be a whole conversation because him and I just communicate better through song." — Miley Cyrus, October 2025.
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By May 2025, they were officially back on speaking terms. Billy Ray posted a photo of them together for Braison’s 31st birthday. The ice had finally melted.
Where They Stand in 2026
Right now, the relationship is in a "healing" phase. It’s not perfect. It’s not Hannah Montana 2.0. But they are talking. Billy Ray is now dating Elizabeth Hurley, and Miley has mentioned that seeing both her parents happy as individuals—rather than a "parental pairing"—has helped her let go of the anger.
She’s 33 now. She’s viewing them as people, not just "Mom and Dad." That’s a massive perspective shift for anyone who’s dealt with a nasty family divorce.
Lessons from the Cyrus Rift
What can we actually take away from this? Family drama is exhausting, even if you’re a multi-platinum superstar.
- Forgiveness isn't a "one-and-done" event. It’s a process. Miley and Billy Ray didn't just hug and forget everything; they found a medium (music) that felt safe for both of them.
- Boundaries are necessary. Miley distancing herself during the Firerose era was likely a survival tactic. It’s okay to step back when a parent’s choices are chaotic.
- Perspective changes with age. Turning 30 seemed to be a catalyst for Miley. She realized she didn't want to carry her mother's baggage anymore.
If you’re going through something similar with your own family, maybe don't write a song with Fleetwood Mac—unless you can. But finding a "bridge," whether it's a shared hobby or just a neutral territory, is often the only way back to each other.
The Cyrus family proves that you can be "estranged" one year and celebrating birthdays together the next. It just takes someone willing to reach out first.
Next Steps for Understanding Complex Family Dynamics:
- Audit your own "inherited" feelings: Like Miley, are you carrying a parent's hurt as your own? Identifying this can be the first step toward reconciliation.
- Find a neutral communication channel: If talking leads to fighting, try a different medium—letters, shared playlists, or even just checking in on specific "safe" topics.
- Prioritize individual happiness: Acknowledge that your parents are flawed humans outside of their roles as your protectors.