You’ve seen the headlines. The Cyrus family is basically the gold standard for public meltdowns that feel both deeply relatable and totally alien. One minute they’re singing "Achy Breaky Heart" in a kitchen, and the next, half the family isn’t showing up to a wedding. Honestly, it’s a lot to keep track of. At the center of the recent storm are Miley Cyrus and sister Noah, two women who have spent their entire lives under a microscope, often being pitted against each other by fans who love a good "sibling rivalry" narrative.
But what’s actually going on? Is there a real feud, or is it just the messy byproduct of a very public divorce between Tish and Billy Ray? Let's get into the weeds.
The Wedding Drama That Split the Internet
The "Great Cyrus Divide" became undeniable in August 2023. Tish Cyrus married Prison Break actor Dominic Purcell in a gorgeous ceremony in Miley’s backyard. Miley was the maid of honor. She looked radiant. She walked her mom down the aisle. It was a peak "happy family" moment—except for the people who weren't there.
Noah and her brother Braison were notably absent. Instead of being in Malibu, they were spotted at a Walmart in Alabama. Noah was wearing a Billy Ray Cyrus T-shirt. You don't need a degree in PR to realize that was a loud statement.
The internet went wild. Rumors swirled that Noah didn't go because she was "team dad" in the divorce. Then things got weirder. Reports surfaced from Us Weekly and People suggesting that Noah had actually been seeing Dominic Purcell before Tish started dating him. Yeah. Let that sink in.
The "Friends with Benefits" Rumor
The allegation was that Noah and Dominic had a "friends with benefits" thing happening. Then, Tish allegedly pursued him knowing about the history. If true, that is beyond messy. It’s the kind of thing that breaks a family permanently.
Insiders claimed Miley had "no idea" about any of this. Imagine finding out your new stepdad might have dated your little sister. Miley reportedly confronted her mom about it, but she’s stayed publicly loyal to Tish. Noah, meanwhile, has been mostly quiet, though she did snap back at a commenter on Instagram who brought it up, basically telling them to mind their own business.
Miley Cyrus and Sister Noah: Different Paths to the Same Spotlight
Growing up as "Hannah Montana's little sister" wasn't easy. Noah has been incredibly vocal about the toll it took on her mental health. She’s talked about how it felt like she was always in a shadow that she didn't ask to be in.
- Miley's Rise: Miley was a global phenomenon by age 13. She had the stability of a Disney machine behind her, even if it eventually became a cage she had to break out of.
- Noah's Journey: Noah started her music career later, leaning into a moodier, more alternative-country sound. Her 2020 song "Young & Sad" explicitly mentions the pressure of being compared to Miley. It’s a heartbreaking listen.
The two actually have a very sweet musical history that people forget. They performed together on Miley’s Breakout album back in the day and have shared stages for impromptu duets. But as they’ve grown older, their brands have moved in opposite directions. Miley is the rock-pop icon winning Grammys (finally!), and Noah is the indie-folk darling with a penchant for high-fashion and raw vulnerability.
The 2024 Grammy Snub
If you watched the 2024 Grammys, you saw Miley win Record of the Year for "Flowers." It was a massive moment. She thanked her mom, her sister Brandi, and her godmother Dolly Parton.
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She did not thank Billy Ray. She did not thank Noah.
"I don't think I forgot anyone," she joked at the end. Ouch.
That omission felt like a definitive line in the sand. Since the parents split, the family has effectively split into two camps. Miley, Brandi, and Trace are firmly in Tish’s corner. Noah and Braison seem to be staying close to Billy Ray. It’s a classic "divorce kids" situation, just with more sequins and paparazzi.
Where Do They Stand Now?
Surprisingly, there might be a light at the end of the tunnel. In a mid-2025 interview, Noah mentioned that the public fixation on her family is "emotionally draining" but insisted that at the end of the day, they are just a family going through "normal stuff."
Miley also shared some rare insight during a podcast appearance, admitting that the family went through a "dark decade" where half of them weren't speaking. But she claimed they’ve been working on "cleaning that up" and putting the lines of communication back together.
It seems like they’re trying. Relationships aren't a straight line. They’re messy circles.
What We Can Learn from the Cyrus Saga
- Divorce is hard at any age. Even if you’re a multi-millionaire superstar, your parents splitting up can still wreck your sense of stability and force you into awkward "sides."
- Comparison is the thief of joy. Noah’s struggle shows that even having a "successful" sibling can create a unique kind of trauma.
- Silence is a choice. Notice how neither Miley nor Noah has gone on a scorched-earth press tour against each other? They keep the deep stuff private, which is probably why they still have a chance at a relationship.
If you’re dealing with your own family drama, the best move is usually to stop looking for a "winner." Like Miley Cyrus and sister Noah, sometimes the best you can do is focus on your own art, your own peace, and let the dust settle on its own time. If you want to support them, listen to their music. Skip the tabloid comments. Both of them have put their pain into their records, and honestly? That's where the real story lives.
Check out Noah’s latest album I Want My Loved Ones to Go with Me for a real look at her growth—it’s a far cry from the "Hannah's sister" labels of the past.