What Really Happened With the Cyrus Family: Why Miley and Her Siblings Still Matter

What Really Happened With the Cyrus Family: Why Miley and Her Siblings Still Matter

You’ve seen the headlines. The Cyrus family hasn’t just been in the news; they’ve basically been the news for the better part of the last five years. It’s messy. It's confusing. And honestly, it’s a lot more complicated than a simple "who’s talking to who" list on a tabloid cover.

If you’re wondering what happened to miley cyrus family, you’re looking at a decade-long slow burn that finally boiled over. Miley herself called it a "dark decade" during an interview in mid-2025. When the world was watching her win her first Grammys in early 2024, they weren’t just seeing a pop star at her peak—they were seeing the visible cracks of a family divided right down the middle.

The Divorce That Started the Domino Effect

Everything changed in April 2022. That’s when Tish Cyrus filed for divorce from Billy Ray Cyrus after nearly 30 years and five kids together. This wasn't their first rodeo with divorce papers, but this time, it was final.

The split wasn’t just a legal end to a marriage; it was a physical divide for the kids. Miley, Brandi, and Trace seemed to stick by Tish. Noah and Braison? They appeared to stay closer to Billy Ray. You could see it at the weddings. When Tish married Prison Break actor Dominic Purcell in 2023, Miley was the maid of honor. But Noah and Braison were notably missing, spotted at a Walmart in t-shirts with their dad’s face on them instead. Subtle, right?

The Dominic Purcell Factor

This is where it gets weird. Really weird.

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In early 2024, reports surfaced that Noah Cyrus had actually been "seeing" Dominic Purcell before her mom started dating him. We’re talking a "friends with benefits" situation that supposedly left Noah feeling incredibly hurt when her mom ended up marrying the guy. Tish has denied any wrongdoing, but the optics were brutal. It wasn't just a divorce anymore; it was a full-blown soap opera involving a daughter’s ex-fling.

That Grammys Speech Snub

Fast forward to February 2024. Miley wins Record of the Year for "Flowers." She gets on stage and thanks her mom, her sister Brandi, her godmother Dolly Parton, and her team.

She notably does not thank Billy Ray.

"I don't think I forgot anyone," she joked at the end of her speech. People lost it. It was the "snub heard 'round the world." For a girl who spent her childhood side-by-side with her dad on Hannah Montana, the silence was deafening. It confirmed what everyone suspected: the bridge between Miley and her father was, if not burned, then definitely under heavy construction.

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Why the Rift is Deeper Than One Speech

Miley later told David Letterman that she inherited her father’s "perspective on reality" but credited her mom for actually raising her. She basically said they’re two different types of people. Billy Ray, she hinted, relies heavily on the love of an audience to heal childhood wounds. Miley? She grew up feeling like a star already, so she doesn't need that same external validation.

It’s a fundamental personality clash that fame only made worse.

Where the Cyrus Family Stands in 2026

So, what’s the vibe now? Honestly, things are finally looking... okay? Sorta.

By the summer of 2025, Miley started waving the white flag. She posted on Instagram that "family is my priority above all else" and mentioned that bridges were being built. We even saw her hanging out with Billy Ray again after he split from his short-lived marriage to the singer Firerose (that one lasted about seven months).

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  • Tish and Miley: Still best friends. They had a brief social media scare in 2025 when Tish accidentally unfollowed Miley, but it turned out to be a "mom doesn't know how to use her phone" situation.
  • Noah and the Siblings: In August 2025, Noah did a cover story for People saying the family is "solid" and everyone loves each other. She released an album featuring collaborations with Billy Ray and Braison, proving that music is still the glue holding them together.
  • Billy Ray: He’s been posting nostalgic videos of Miley lately. It feels like he's trying. He even praised Tish in a Mother's Day post, which is a massive leap from where they were two years ago.

The "White Flag" Era

Miley admitted that getting everyone in a room for counseling would have been "a war." Instead of forcing a perfect Hollywood reunion, they’ve opted for a "clean up as you go" approach. They aren't the perfect family from the Disney Channel days, and they've stopped pretending to be.

They are messy. They are public. They are "emotional hoarders," as Miley put it. But by mid-2025, the "dark decade" seemed to be ending.


Actionable Insights for Navigating Family Conflict:
If you're dealing with your own family drama—even if it's not being tweeted about by millions—the Cyrus family's journey offers a few real-world takeaways:

  1. Stop Hoarding Emotions: Miley’s biggest regret was letting things stack up for ten years. If something bothers you, address it before it becomes a mountain.
  2. Accept the Mess: Not every rift needs a "grand reconciliation." Sometimes, just deciding to be "chronically polite" is the first step toward actual healing.
  3. Find Common Ground: For the Cyruses, it was music. For you, it might be a shared hobby or just a mutual love for a pet. Use that tiny bridge to start walking back toward each other.
  4. Set Boundaries with "Stage Parents": Whether your parents are literally famous or just over-involved, learning to separate your identity from theirs is crucial for long-term peace.

The Cyrus family saga proves that even the most public breakups don't have to be permanent. It takes time, a lot of therapy (or "therapy-literacy"), and the willingness to stop "picking sides" so the family can just be a family again.