Hollywood loves a messy story. We’ve seen it all, right? But the saga of Tish Cyrus and Dominic Purcell is something else entirely. It’s not just a "mom meets actor" tale. It’s a dense, weird, and surprisingly deep family drama that has effectively split the Cyrus clan down the middle.
Honestly, when news first broke that the matriarch of the Cyrus family was dating the Prison Break star, people were just happy for her. She had just come out of a nearly 30-year marriage to Billy Ray Cyrus. That's a lifetime. She was public about her "complete psychological breakdown" during the split. Then, in steps Dominic. It looked like a fairytale.
Then the rumors started.
The Instagram DM That Started It All
The way they met sounds like a Gen Z rom-com, which is funny considering they are both in their 50s. Tish actually admitted on the Call Her Daddy podcast that Dominic was her "hall pass" for years. Basically, the one guy she was allowed to crush on while married.
He actually messaged her first. Way back in 2016.
Dominic sent a polite note saying he thought she was cool and doing a great job with her family. Tish didn't see it. For a whole year. When she finally did, she was still married, and Dominic’s then-girlfriend had apparently blocked Tish on his account. Fast forward to 2022: Tish is single, notices she’s no longer blocked, and slides into his DMs.
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They met for lunch. They ended up making out at a pub for three hours. The very next day? They said "I love you."
Fast? Yeah. Intense? Definitely.
Why the Wedding Wasn't a Full Family Affair
In August 2023, the couple tied the knot in a stunning, intimate ceremony in Malibu. It was held in Miley’s backyard. Miley was the maid of honor. Brandi and Trace were there.
But two faces were missing: Noah and Braison Cyrus.
While Tish was saying "I do," Noah was spotted at a Walmart in a Billy Ray Cyrus T-shirt. You don't do that by accident. The internet exploded. Why weren't they there? The official line was a "scheduling conflict," but the whispers were much louder.
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There were reports—pretty credible ones from places like Us Weekly—alleging that Dominic Purcell had actually been "seeing" Noah before he started dating Tish. We aren't talking a long-term engagement, but a "friends with benefits" situation that was apparently ongoing when Tish pursued him.
If that’s true? It’s heavy. It explains why Tish reportedly hired security to keep her own children out of the wedding. It explains the "blocking" on Instagram. It’s a rift that, as of early 2026, still hasn't fully healed.
Reality Check: The Therapy and the Growth
Despite the chaos, Tish and Dominic seem... solid?
They started therapy together just two weeks into dating. That’s a bold move. Tish has been vocal about how Dominic empowers her. He tells her she's the funniest, the prettiest, the best. After three decades with Billy Ray, she says she finally feels like she can "fly."
It’s a complicated duality. On one hand, you have a woman finding her voice and her happiness after a long, difficult marriage. On the other, you have a family dynamic that looks like a shattered mirror.
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The Breakdown of the Cyrus Divide
| Team Tish | Team Billy Ray / Neutral |
|---|---|
| Miley Cyrus (Walked Tish down the aisle) | Noah Cyrus (Deeply offended by the Dominic situation) |
| Brandi Cyrus (Podcast co-host and vocal supporter) | Braison Cyrus (Sided with Noah during the wedding) |
| Trace Cyrus (Attended the wedding, supportive) | Firerose (Billy Ray's ex, though that's a whole other story) |
What We Can Actually Learn From This
Look, nobody's life is as clean as an Instagram grid. The Tish and Dominic situation is a reminder that "happily ever after" often comes with a lot of baggage.
If you're looking at this and thinking about your own complicated family stuff, there are a few takeaways. First, communication is everything. The biggest gripe in the Cyrus family seems to be that things weren't discussed before they went public. Second, it's okay to prioritize your happiness, but in a family, that usually has a ripple effect.
Next Steps for You:
- Audit your boundaries: If you're entering a new relationship after a long break, consider the "impact zone" on your kids, no matter how old they are.
- Check the DMs: Seriously. Tish missed out for years because she didn't see a message. If you're single, take a peek at those filtered requests.
- Prioritize professional help: If Tish and Dominic can go to therapy two weeks in, you can certainly book a session to navigate your own family transitions.
The story isn't over. Families like this tend to cycle back around eventually. But for now, Tish and Dominic are leaning into their "fairytale," even if some of the kids are still waiting for an apology.