If you had "Elizabeth Hurley and Billy Ray Cyrus dating" on your 2025 bingo card, you're a liar. Nobody saw this coming. Not even the most seasoned paparazzi in London or Nashville. Yet, here we are in early 2026, and the British icon is ringing in the New Year at a James Bond-themed bash with none other than the "Achy Breaky Heart" singer by her side.
It feels weird. I know.
On paper, it’s a total mismatch. You’ve got the quintessential English rose—famous for that Versace safety-pin dress and her posh Berkshire lifestyle—paired with a rugged country music veteran from Flatwoods, Kentucky. But if you look past the initial "Wait, what?" of it all, there's actually a pretty grounded story here.
The 2022 Spark You Forgot About
Everyone thinks this started with a random Instagram post on Easter Sunday in 2025. It didn't.
Basically, the two met back in 2022. They were filming a Netflix holiday movie called Christmas in Paradise. Liz played Joanna Christmas, and Billy Ray played a character named Jimmy Love. Honestly, the movie was exactly what you’d expect from a tropical Christmas rom-com, but the chemistry between the two leads was apparently very real.
They didn't start dating then, though. Life got in the way. Billy Ray was going through a messy, very public divorce from his third wife, Firerose. Elizabeth was busy being, well, Elizabeth Hurley.
How it actually became a thing
It started with a text. Seriously. When things were getting particularly ugly with Billy Ray's divorce and the Nashville tabloids were having a field day, Liz reached out. She wasn't looking for a boyfriend; she was just being a friend.
She reportedly told him she was in his corner.
He didn't even have her number saved. He had to ask, "Who is this?" When she replied "Elizabeth Hurley," things shifted. They reconnected over their shared love of the "country"—even if her version is the rolling hills of Herefordshire and his is a 500-acre farm outside Nashville.
Why it's Lasting (and Why Fans are Worried)
The internet had a meltdown when they "hard-launched" the relationship. The comments were brutal. People were posting red flag emojis, telling Liz to "run," and questioning what on earth she was doing with a man who had just come out of such a chaotic marriage.
But here’s the thing: Elizabeth is 60 now. She’s not a wide-eyed starlet. She’s a sharp businesswoman who has navigated high-profile relationships with Hugh Grant, Steve Bing, and Arun Nayar. She knows exactly what she’s doing.
- The Family Dynamic: Surprisingly, the families are on board. Liz’s son, Damian Hurley, has been seen hanging out with Billy Ray. He even commented heart emojis on their debut photo.
- The "Surrey" Connection: In a 2025 interview with The Sunday Times, Liz joked that Tennessee actually looks a lot like England. She compared it to Surrey.
- Creative Bonding: They spend their time playing guitar—he’s trying to teach her, though she says she’s "appalling" at it—and watching old TV shows like Nashville.
It's a low-key life.
The Timeline of Elizabeth Hurley Dating Billy Ray Cyrus
If you’re trying to keep track of how this progressed from a "rumor" to "red carpet official," the milestones are pretty clear.
They made their first public appearance as a couple in May 2025 in Rome. It was for an art exhibition at Palazzo Barberini. Very classy. Very Liz. Then, things moved to the States. By November 2025, they were presenting together at the CMA Awards in Nashville. Billy Ray called it their "first date in the U.S."
Most recently, they spent Christmas 2025 together in matching onesies. Then came the New Year's Eve party where Liz dressed as a Bond Girl (white bikini and fur coat) and Billy Ray stood right there in the photos, looking like the cat who got the cream.
What This Means for Liz’s "Type"
Historically, Elizabeth Hurley’s dating life has been... eclectic.
- Hugh Grant: The 13-year marathon. They are still best friends. He’s her son’s godfather.
- Steve Bing: The late businessman and father of Damian. A complicated, often difficult chapter.
- Arun Nayar: The textile heir. Two massive weddings (England and India) followed by an amicable divorce in 2011.
- Shane Warne: The legendary Australian cricketer. They were engaged and, by all accounts, incredibly happy until they split in 2013. His death in 2022 hit her hard.
So, where does a country singer fit in?
Maybe he doesn't "fit" the old mold, and that's the point. Elizabeth has said she doesn't need someone to pay her bills or give her a roof over her head. She’s looking for companionship and a laugh. Billy Ray, for all his drama, is known for being a "gentle man," as she described him to Entertainment Tonight.
Is marriage on the cards?
Don't hold your breath. Liz has been pretty vocal about not needing another wedding. She’s more interested in someone to share a sunset with on a farm than signing another set of papers.
Actionable Insights for Following Celebrity News
If you're keeping up with the latest on Elizabeth Hurley, here's how to separate the facts from the clickbait:
- Check the Source: If it's not on their official Instagrams or a verified interview with People or The Sunday Times, take it with a grain of salt.
- Look at the Son: Damian Hurley is the ultimate gatekeeper. If he's at the party and posing for photos with the boyfriend, the relationship is solid.
- Watch the Locations: They are currently splitting time between her estate in England and his place in Tennessee. If you see her in cowboy boots or him in a Barbour jacket, things are moving along just fine.
The reality is that this relationship survived the "honeymoon phase" and the initial public backlash. Whether it lasts another decade or ends by summer, it’s clear that Elizabeth Hurley is doing exactly what she wants—which has always been her greatest strength.
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To keep track of their next moves, keep an eye on the upcoming festival season; there's already chatter about Liz joining Billy Ray on the road for a few select dates.