American country singer Billy Ray Cyrus reached a breaking point with Australian singer Firerose just after seven months of marriage. According to court documents obtained by the Associated Press, Billy Ray filed for a divorce from his latest bride on May 22 in Nashville, Tennessee.
The “Achy Breaky Heart” country superstar cited irreconcilable differences and inappropriate marital conduct for separation. Billy Ray Cyrus also requested the court for an annulment from Firerose on the grounds of fraud. There were no specific details on the alleged conduct of fraud. However, the filings indicate that he would not have married her if he had been aware of the fraud sooner. The documents further state that each of the parties shall keep their own property separately.
TMZ first reported the news on Tuesday, and a request for comment was declined by both parties’ representatives.
The pair developed their relationship during the COVID-19 pandemic when they shared music and penned songs together as a couple, including “Time” (2022), “Plans” (2023), and their recent single this March, “After the Storm” (2024). Billy Ray gladly announced his engagement in August 2022, describing their previous relationship as a love that evolved as “musical soulmates, to soulmates happy, pure love.” Later on October 10, 2023, they officially tied the knot.
The 62-year-old musician and the 36-year-old singer — whose real name is Joahnna Rose Hodges — posted on a joint Instagram on October 12, 2023, that “10/10/23 will always be the beautiful, joyous day that our two souls united as one in holy matrimony. It was the most perfect, ethereal celebration of love we could have ever imagined.”
The couple added, “For both of us to hear the preacher say, ‘Billy Ray and Firerose Cyrus… I now pronounce you husband and wife’ that was the sacred moment our new forever began. Long Live Love!”
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On April 12, Firerose confirmed their split on Instagram when she shared a wedding photoshoot of the couple, saying, “6 months ago, I married this man. Life isn’t always easy, but it sure helps when your husband’s also your best friend. Thank you, Lord!”
Following the report on their divorce, they unfollowed each other on the said platform on June 11. Neither of the musicians has released a statement on their social media accounts about the divorce.
The recent divorce is Billy Ray’s third failed marriage, with Cindy Smith as her first wife from 1986 until 1991.
Before Firerose, Billy Ray married Tish Cyrus in December 1993 and bore five children, including popstar Miley Cyrus. They had filed for divorce twice before legally separating in 2022 after almost three decades of marriage. The news later became controversial when Miley gave her speech about winning her first Grammy this year in February and thanked her whole family except her father. “I don’t think I’ve forgotten anyone, but I might have forgotten underwear,” the Hannah Montana star jokingly stated.
To ease up the family feud amidst Billy Ray’s third divorce with Firerose, he uploaded a handwritten poem and a throwback picture of Miley as a kid with the caption: “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!”
