Miley Cyrus recently celebrated one of the biggest milestones of her career, but one notable absence quickly caught fans’ attention. The Grammy winner was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, surrounded by supporters and loved ones, including mom Tish Cyrus. However, many fans noticed that Miley’s father, Billy Ray Cyrus, was nowhere to be seen, reigniting questions about the pair’s often complicated relationship. His absence came despite Miley Cyrus referencing him during her emotional acceptance speech.
While Miley Cyrus made sure to honor her father during her Hollywood Walk of Fame speech, Billy Ray Cyrus’ absence from the major milestone did not go unnoticed. Fans quickly questioned why the country star was missing from one of the biggest moments of his daughter’s career, especially after years of public speculation surrounding the family’s relationship.
According to the Daily Mail, it seems that Billy Ray was absent “thanks to a long-running family estrangement” following the fallout from Billy Ray and Tish’s divorce. Still, despite the reported ups and downs in their relationship, sources have suggested Miley’s feelings toward her father may be more layered than headlines often suggest.
While her father was not in attendance, a source who spoke with the outlet claims that Miley has continued to admire Billy Ray’s ability to navigate setbacks and reinvent himself over the years. “She’s watched her dad go through career highs and lows and find his way back time and time again,” the insider claimed, adding that Miley has also looked to her godmother, Dolly Parton, as an example of longevity, especially as she reportedly figures out her own next chapter professionally.
Rather than diving fully back into old family tensions, Miley’s emotional Walk of Fame tribute appeared to hint that respect for her father remains, even if their relationship has experienced challenges behind the scenes.
Their Father-Daughter Relationship Reportedly Changed After Divorce
Rumors of tension between Miley and Billy Ray intensified after Billy Ray and Tish Cyrus finalized their divorce in 2022 following years of an on-again, off-again marriage. According to reports, Miley was deeply affected by the split and allegedly struggled with aspects of her father’s behavior during the marriage. While Miley remained especially close with her mom, speculation grew that distance had formed between her and Billy Ray in the aftermath of the divorce.
The singer has also previously spoken about how difficult relationships can become when both people are involved in the entertainment industry, something she reportedly observed in her parents’ marriage and later experienced herself during her relationship with ex-husband Liam Hemsworth.
Billy Ray’s Marriage To Firerose Added More Family Tension
The Cyrus family dynamic appeared to become even more strained after Billy Ray married singer Firerose in late 2023. Miley notably did not attend the wedding, fueling further speculation about where things stood between father and daughter.
The marriage, however, did not last long. Just six months later, Billy Ray filed for divorce and sought an annulment, claiming the marriage had allegedly been obtained through fraud. The short-lived relationship once again thrust the Cyrus family into headlines and intensified public curiosity surrounding their personal dynamics.
Billy Ray Cyrus is now dating British actress and model Elizabeth Hurley.
Reconciliation Rumors Have Swirled
Despite years of speculation surrounding estrangement, reports surfaced last year claiming Miley and Billy Ray had begun repairing their relationship. Still, family dynamics within the Cyrus household have often shifted quickly.
Tensions surrounding the famous family only intensified in 2024 after reports claimed Tish Cyrus’ now-husband, Dominic Purcell, had previously been romantically involved with Miley’s younger sister Noah Cyrus before beginning a relationship with Tish. Noah was reportedly left “distraught” by the situation.
Miley Cyrus Once Reflected On What She Learned From Billy Ray
Miley addressed her relationship with her father during a 2024 interview with David Letterman, talking about the good and the bad things she’s learned from Billy Ray. “He has a relationship and a foot on the ground to the real and to nature and he always did, even when he was super famous,” Miley said of her dad.
“I’m grateful for being able to watch him ahead of me. He’s almost given me this map. And there’s a map of what to do and what not to do, and he’s guided me on both,” she continued. “I also inherited the narcissism from my father.”
For now, Billy Ray’s absence from Miley’s Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony has once again put the spotlight on the family’s complicated dynamic, even as Miley appeared to publicly honor her dad during one of the proudest moments of her career.
