Many people around the globe were left shocked by the news that Billy Ray Cyrus, 62, and Firerose, 35, were getting a divorce after only seven months together – but if you look closely at the pairing, the split isn’t as surprising as you’d think.
From their massive age gap to the rumored rift with his daughter Miley Cyrus, the stars’ romance has been embroiled in scandal practically since it began.
The two musicians first revealed that they were dating in 2022 – just months after his divorce from Tish Cyrus – and immediately, they faced fierce scrutiny over their 27-year age difference.
Many people raised their eyebrows at the fact that the then 60-year-old singer was dating someone almost half his age.
And to make matters worse, there was speculation of a growing family feud between the Cyrus clan when the romance kicked off, which has only seemed to get worse as his relationship with Firerose strengthened.
News hit the web this week that Billy Ray Cyrus, 62, and Firerose, 35, were getting a divorce after only seven months together
From their massive age gap to the rumored rift with his daughter, Miley Cyrus, the stars’ romance has been embroiled in scandal practically since it began
Since he and Tish went their separate ways, the former couple’s five kids have appeared to be completely divided, with some sticking with their mom and others taking their dad’s side.
It was even reported that Billy Ray and Miley – who famously starred in the Disney Channel series Hannah Montana together when she was younger – were ‘no longer on speaking terms’ and that she had absolutely no relationship with his new partner.
Coming off his messy divorce and facing rumors of a fractured family, Billy Ray and Firerose certainly made a controversial pairing.
Even so, they moved quickly, getting engaged just months after they got together and walking down the aisle together one year later – and for a moment, it seemed that they had overcome the rocky start.
The newlyweds appeared to be unfazed by the swirling reports about Billy Ray’s family, posting a slew of PDA-filled selfies and constantly gushing over one another online.
But just seven months after they tied the knot, it’s now been revealed that their marriage is over – and the ending is just as dramatic as the beginning was.
It’s been said that Billy Ray cited ‘inappropriate marital conduct’ as his reason for divorce in the court papers, and has even accused Firerose of ‘fraud.’
But when did things start to go wrong and did the rumors of his strained relationship with his kids play into the breakup?
Here’s what we know so far about what lead to Billy Ray and Firerose’s split – from the clues that things had fallen apart months ago to his claims that their ‘marriage was based on fraud.’
A controversial start: Billy Ray and Firerose faced scrutiny over their 27-year age gap when they first got together in 2022
Billy Ray and Firerose grew close when they collaborated on a song in early 2021, called New Day, which came out while he was still married to Tish Cyrus. They’re seen recording the song
Tish filed for divorce from the musician after more than 30 years together in April 2022. They’re seen with daughter Miley in 2019
Billy Ray and Firerose first met more than a decade ago on a Los Angeles street, when he was walking his dog and she was coming out of an audition.
Just three months after news hit the web that his marriage to Tish had ended, Billy Ray reunited with Firerose to sing their song at Grand Ole Opry
The two struck up a friendship, and grew even closer when they collaborated on a song together in early 2021, called New Day – while he was still married to Tish.
But in April 2022, Tish filed for divorce from the musician after more than 30 years together.
In the divorce papers, they revealed that they hadn’t lived together in two years, and afterwards, Billy Ray insisted that ‘everyone knew the relationship was over a long time ago’ in an interview.
Just three months after news hit the web that his marriage to Tish had ended, Billy Ray reunited with Firerose to sing their song at Grand Ole Opry.
And after the performance, Firerose shared a slew of images that showed her cozying up to Billy Ray backstage, sparking romance rumors.
Then, in August 2022, she seemed to confirm that they were dating by sharing a selfie with the country singer in honor of his birthday.
‘The world is a better place with you in it,’ she captioned it, along with a heart.
And after the performance, Firerose shared a slew of images that showed her cozying up to Billy Ray backstage, sparking romance rumors
Billy has said that they bonded over their shared love of ‘music,’ becoming friends first but eventually ‘evolving’ to lovers
Immediately, the couple faced scrutiny over their immense age gap – as she was 33 years old when they got together and he was 60, 27 years her senior
Firerose later told People that she was there for Billy Ray throughout his split from Tish, explaining, ‘Billy Ray confided in me a lot of what was going on in his life. I was just the best friend I could possibly be, supporting him.’
Even so, the relationship moved extremely quickly; they announced that they were engaged by October, and wed a year later
He has also said that they bonded over their shared love of ‘music,’ becoming friends first but eventually ‘evolving’ to lovers.
‘When we began sharing the music, it just evolved more into, as musical soulmates, to soulmates, happy, pure love that to me, I didn’t know could exist,’ he previously explained.
‘Again, we’re musicians, first and foremost, both of us. And we found this harmony, and this rhythm, this melody to life.’
But immediately, the couple faced scrutiny over their immense age gap – as she was 33 years old when they got together and he was 60, 27 years her senior.
Even so, the relationship moved extremely quickly; they announced that they were engaged by October, and wed a year later.
A divided family: Billy Ray and Tish’s divorce ripped the Cyrus clan apart, and the rumored rift only seemed to get worse as his romance with Firerose strengthened
Billy Ray and Tish’s divorce seemed to rip the entire Cyrus family apart – with some of their five kids taking his side and others taking hers. The family is seen in 2015
One month after the split, a source told The Sun that his daughter, Miley Cyrus, was ‘no longer on speaking terms’ with her father. They’re seen in Hannah Montana
Billy Ray and Tish’s divorce seemed to rip the entire Cyrus family apart – with some of their five kids taking his side and others taking hers.
And the rumored rift only seemed to worsen as his romance with Firerose strengthened
One month after the split, a source told The Sun that Miley was ‘no longer on speaking terms’ with her father.
‘Miley is all about peace but she didn’t agree with some things that her father has done,’ they said.
‘It has really escalated and they are not on good terms. There were words exchanged over what happened towards the end of Billy and Tish’s marriage and now they clearly see things very differently.’
And the rumored rift only seemed to worsen as his romance with Firerose strengthened.
An insider told E! News in October 2022 that Miley had no relationship with Firerose but ‘hoped Billy Ray was happy.’
When Miley won an award at the 2024 Grammys in February, she threw some subtle shade at her father by leaving him out of her thank you speech.
When Miley won an award at the 2024 Grammys in February, she threw some subtle shade at her father by leaving him out of her thank you speech
The family’s posts also hint at a divide, as Tish often shares photos with her three eldest kids, Brandi, Trace, and Miley, while Billy Ray hangs with Noah. He and Firerose are seen with Noah
Noah has made it clear that she supports his romance with Firerose, as she has left gushing comments on some of the pictures they shared together
‘Thanks to my mommy, my sister, my love, and my main gays because look how good I look,’ she said, adding, ‘I don’t think I forgot anyone. But I might have forgotten underwear. Bye.’
Afterwards, Us Weekly reported that Billy Ray ‘tried reaching out to Miley many times’ recently and even ‘congratulated her on her Grammys.’
‘The kids have chosen sides, but friends are hoping the rift doesn’t last forever,’ another insider added.
‘Miley and Billy Ray are on the outs. Miley’s very close with her mom and is standing by her.’
A separate person with knowledge on the subject added, ‘The family dynamics haven’t been the same since the divorce, and now that Tish and Billy Ray are with other people, there’s even more division among them all.’
The family’s social media posts also hint at a divide. On her Instagram, Tish often shares photos with her three eldest kids – Brandi, Trace, and Miley – and gushes over their work, while Noah hasn’t been seen with her since February 2023.
Billy Ray, on the other hand, last shared a snap with Noah in September 2023. He also revealed he was hanging out with their son, Braison, just last week – but hasn’t posted anything with his other children in years.
Noah has made it clear that she supports his romance with Firerose, as she has left gushing comments on some of the pictures they shared together.
Social media silence: Billy Ray and Firerose often shared PDA-filled snaps together throughout their romance, but they came to a screeching halt in April
Throughout their relationship, Billy Ray and Firerose often shared PDA-filled snaps together, but they suddenly came to a screeching halt in April
Both of the stars haven’t posed anything together in over a month; their last picture together, shared on April 28 by Billy Ray, showed them sitting on a boat with their dogs
Billy Ray’s social media posts may also pose as a clue as to when things with Firerose went awry.
Throughout their relationship, Billy Ray and Firerose often shared PDA-filled snaps together, but they suddenly came to a screeching halt in April.
Both of the stars haven’t posed anything together in over a month; their last picture together, shared on April 28 by Billy Ray, showed them sitting on a boat along with their two dogs.
‘Nothin’ beats the water,’ he captioned it.
Firerose also uploaded some snaps from the boat ride to her account, writing, ‘A canvas of dreams,’ but neither of them shared anything together since that day.
The messy split: Billy Ray filed for divorce from Firerose in late May, and alleged that the marriage was entered into fraudulently
News hit the web that Billy Ray and Firerose were splitting earlier this month – seven months after they tied the knot
TMZ reported that he filed for divorce in late May, and that Billy Ray is requesting an annulment, alleging the marriage was entered into fraudulently
News hit the web that Billy Ray and Firerose were splitting earlier this month – seven months after they tied the knot.
TMZ reported that he filed for divorce in late May, and that he claimed both irreconcilable differences and ‘inappropriate marital conduct’ as the reasons behind their separation.
Additionally, it was reported by E! that Billy Ray is requesting an annulment, alleging the marriage was entered into fraudulently.
Per court documents, ‘he gave consent to marriage based on fraud by the wife, that had he known he would not have entered into the bonds of matrimony.’
It’s also been said that Billy Ray insisted Firerose move out of the home they shared in Nashville, Tennessee by May 24, and that he was willing to pay as much as $500-a-night over the course of 10 days for her lodging costs.
After the 10-day period, he was willing to pay $5,000 a month for her to acquire a suitable new home in Tennessee.
Billy Ray is prepared to make the payments over the course of 90 days or once their divorce is officially finalized, whichever happens first, TMZ reported. The payments must be made on the first of the month.
Just days before the divorce was revealed to the world, Billy Ray gave a rare shoutout to his daughter Miley on Instagram.
Just days before the divorce was revealed to the world, Billy Ray gave a rare shoutout to his daughter Miley on Instagram, while sharing a throwback photo and a poem he wrote for her
He shared a throwback photo of himself and Miley along with a poem he wrote for her.
‘One of my best memories ever: @CMA Fest, back when it was Fan Fair,’ Billy Ray started in the caption.
‘That’s @MileyCyrus and me, surrounded by thousands of incredible fans at the fairgrounds.
‘The next day, someone handed me this picture, and I wrote that poem right then on the bus.
‘I’m incredibly proud of her. She’s a survivor and a true artist. She learned early on to love and appreciate the fans who make everything possible.
‘We both cherish the connection we have with our fans and are grateful for every single one of you. Hope you all have a great Friday. Now rock the country.’
Firerose broke her silence one day later, after she was tagged in an Instagram photo which showed her recording music in a studio.
‘Grateful for this amazing Monday with these beautiful talented souls,’ the post read, tagging Firerose and writer Andrew Berg.
She reposted the photo to her story and added: ‘Such a special day.’
