Love blossomed for Billy Ray Cyrus and Elizabeth Hurley nearly three years after they costarred in 2022’s Christmas in Paradise.
During an interview on Apple Music’s Ty Bentli Show in April 2025, Cyrus reflected on their chemistry with a co-star from a film shot in the Caribbean two years prior. Despite not sharing many scenes, the moments they did share demonstrated a unique connection that brought joy during a challenging time. This camaraderie was a source of laughter, a rarity for Cyrus at that moment.
Reflecting on life’s challenges, Cyrus described a period of personal growth following the initial interaction. Amidst the chaos of life and his divorce from Firerose, he found himself questioning if things could get any more difficult. It was a time when life seemed determined to knock him down, leaving him feeling vulnerable and exposed.
Amidst this turmoil, Hurley, later revealed as his romantic partner, reached out to Cyrus. Their relationship blossomed, with the couple officially confirming their romance via a public Instagram post on Easter Sunday in April 2025.
“Billy Ray and Liz have both been through a lot in life and have bonded over life experiences,” a source exclusively told Us Weekly in a cover story that month. “Liz is a very compassionate person, which Billy Ray adores.”
Keep scrolling for Cyrus and Hurley’s relationship timeline:
2022
Hurley and Cyrus played Joanna Christmas and Jimmy Love, respectively, in Netflix’s Christmas in Paradise.
“The opportunity to work with Billy Ray, whom I’ve long been a fan of — my son was the age where he used to watch Hannah Montana all the time, so of course, I used to watch it with him,” Hurley told MovieWeb, referring to son Damian, whom she shared with late ex Stephen Bing. “I knew Billy Ray really well from that, and of course, some of his music. That was a big plus.”
2024
Two years after the movie’s release, Hurley sent Cyrus a friendly text.
“I didn’t even know the number, and it’s like, ‘Hey, it looks like life might be a little bit tough and just wanted you to know I’m in your corner. You got a friend in your corner,’” Cyrus recalled on Bentli’s Apple Music show the next year, calling Hurley a “great human being” and “impressively brilliant.”
April 2025
Before Hurley and Cyrus made their Instagram debut as a couple on Easter, they kept their budding romance under wraps.
“Her friends have known about it for a while as it’s not a new thing,” a second source told Us, noting the British actress “had sworn them all to secrecy and they didn’t tell anyone outside of her tight circle of mostly gay men.”
Later in April, Hurley shared more Instagram pics of the couple cuddled up at Cyrus’ Nashville farm.
May 2025
While attending the Breast Cancer Research Foundation’s Hot Pink Party in New York City, Hurley offered further insight into their relationship.
“I think people found Billy and I being together a little surprising,” she told reporters on the red carpet. “It’s not surprising to me because we’re actually quite similar and get on extremely well. There has been quite a reaction. … We both like to laugh a lot, and we both love the country. And we both love country music, both love movies. We’ve got a lot in common — and cowboy boots, definitely.”
According to Hurley, she and Cyrus also bonded over being single parents. While Hurley is mom to son Damien, the Grammy winner is a father of six. (Billy Ray shares Brandi, Trace, Miley, Noah and Braison with ex-wife Tish Cyrus and son Christopher with ex Kristin Luckey.)
They made their red carpet debut at the “Orizzonti | Rosso” Exhibition’s opening dinner in Rome on May 24 alongside Damian.
“Roma,” Hurley later captioned Instagram photos from the evening.
June 2025
Cyrus called Hurley “the love of my life” in an Instagram post shared in honor of her 60th birthday. In her own birthday post, Hurley said her year had already been “a wild ride,” in part because “I’m in love.” Cyrus replied to her post in the comments section, writing, “I love you ♥️.”
Later that month, the couple enjoyed a blended family outing when supporting Cyrus’ daughter Miley at a concert in London.
“What a treat- a perfect way to celebrate the Summer Solstice with @mileycyrus Reborn from Something Beautiful,” Hurley captioned a social media post on June 22.
