Signs Elizabeth Hurley & Billy Ray Cyrus Are In It For The Long Haul

At first glance, country star Billy Ray Cyrus and former model Elizabeth Hurley don't have much in common. After all, she's a glamorous Brit, while he's a rocker from Tennessee. Perhaps that's why the Internet was so shocked when the pair revealed that they were dating. "Respectfully, what the heck?" wrote one Reddit user. "This is such a random couple." Even Sir Elton John, Hurley's longtime friend, was 'bemused' by the match, according to Page Six.

But despite their differences, Cyrus and Hurley's romance has unfolded like the plot of one of our favorite second-chance romance books. In fact, their major differences might actually be key to this couple's attraction. An anonymous source told People that Hurley and Cyrus are 'going strong.' "They're very different, but it works. They're so cute together," the source said. "It's the kind of connection that surprises people but makes perfect sense when you spend time with them."

Even Cyrus admits they're an unexpected pairing. "I figured we were so different, but in some very strange way, we had more in common than we had different," he explained during a 2025 appearance on "The Ty Bentli Show." Cyrus has clearly taken to life in England, while Hurley has embraced the rolling hills of Tennessee. In fact, this surprising couple might just be poised to go the distance. "She is beautiful and he is handsome," wrote one YouTube commenter, continuing, "He looks happier and more at peace with himself than he has in a long time."

Both Elizabeth Hurley and Billy Ray Cyrus have children from previous marriages. She has one son, Damien Hurley, while Cyrus has several children, including pop star Miley Cyrus. Combining families can be tricky, but so far, everything seems to be going smoothly. "Damian and Miley have met," Hurley told The Sunday Times in 2025. "Billy's kids are great, and Billy has spent a lot of time with Damian. Everyone loves everyone — it's lovely." Damien is clearly a fan of the matchup. "Aww love you both," he commented on an Instagram photo of the couple. "Damien loves Billy Ray and is thrilled to see his mother happy and in love," an anonymous source told Hello! (per Hola!).

Meanwhile, Miley Cyrus, who recently reconnected with her father after years of estrangement, gave the relationship her blessing. "I see him finding happiness ... I'm being an adult about it," Miley told The New York Times in 2025. "At first it's hard, because the little kid in you reacts before the adult in you can go, 'Yes, that's your dad, but that's just another person that deserves to be in his bliss and to be happy.' My child self has caught up."

Though Miley is engaged, she didn't extend a wedding invitation to Hurley because she wants to limit the wedding to close family, not because of any objection to his new girlfriend. "Miley has nothing against Liz — she really likes her and thinks she's good for her dad," an anonymous source told InTouch (per Yahoo).

Sometimes the best relationships are the ones that get a slow start. Cyrus and Hurley originally met in 2022, on the set of the film "Christmas in Paradise." But while they vibed immediately, they also weren't jumping into anything. At the time, Hurley was focused on raising her son. Meanwhile, Cyrus' red flag-filled marriage to Tish Cyrus was headed for divorce. "We did very few scenes together but the couple times we were in the same scene there was a chemistry there," Cyrus explained during an appearance on "The Ty Bentli Show" in 2025. "We just laughed, and it was at a time I wasn't laughing a lot."

Hurley and Cyrus didn't talk for a few years, but reconnected when Cyrus was going through public family turmoil, including his 2024 divorce from his third wife, Firerose. It was then that Hurley reached out as a friend. Cyrus credits that bond with helping him get through a difficult part of his life. "The divorce and drama put him down. It was depressing," an anonymous source told People in 2025. "Liz is perfect for him to move on. And she won't put up with any nonsense."

Ever since Elizabeth Hurley and Billy Ray Cyrus made their relationship official, they can't stop talking one another up in public. "Billy Ray is fabulous. We're very happy, very happy," Hurley told The Sunday Times in 2025. Cyrus is equally effusive. "It's just a good thing," Cyrus shared during his "Ty Bentli Show" podcast appearance. "It's been a long time since I've been this happy."

Reportedly, the pair got serious fast. They spent most of the summer of 2025 cozied up together at Hurley's Surrey home, where they built routines as a couple and discovered some unexpected shared interests. "We had the best time," Hurley said during a 2025 appearance on "This Morning." "We ate well, we were relaxed, we bird watched." She even revealed that the country star has written her a song.

Their connection is clearly grounded in mutual respect, which is always a green flag that a couple has the potential to make it long-term. "If all we ever were [is] the friends that we are, I would take that. She's so impressively brilliant. She reminds me a lot of Dolly Parton," Cyrus said on the podcast. "If you can laugh together, you can make it through everything."

In 2026, Billy Ray Cyrus appeared at Stagecoach to perform with his children, Noah Cyrus and Braison Cyrus. As a good girlfriend does, Elizabeth Hurley turned out to cheer him on. "Yeeehaaaaaw. Loved my first trip to Stagecoach," she wrote in an Instagram caption beneath a carousel of photos that showed the happy couple smiling and kissing.

For her part, Hurley appears to have fully embraced the spirit of the iconic country music festival. She leaned into the western-inspired fashion trend, donning a suede fringe jacket and a sheer lace top. While she might be struggling to learn the guitar — she says Cyrus is trying to teach her — it's clear she is totally ready to embrace his country roots. "She's been waiting a long time for romance," an insider source told Page Six in 2025. "I think she likes the whole cowboy thing."

For his part, Cyrus appears to be supporting Hurley in return. Hurley presented an award at the 2026 Olivier Awards, and Cyrus was her enthusiastic date. "So proud of my beautiful girlfriend," he gushed in an Instagram caption.