Tish Cyrus is opening up about the emotional toll of her divorce from Billy Ray Cyrus, revealing that she stayed in the marriage longer than she should have due to a deep fear of being alone. In a candid conversation with her daughter Brandy on the Call Her Daddy podcast, Tish shared the struggles she faced during the breakdown of her 28-year marriage to the country star, including the intense psychological toll it took on her.
Reflecting on the painful decision to end the marriage, Tish explained that she had a difficult time coming to terms with the reality of the situation. “I stayed so long out of fear—literal fear of being alone,” she confessed. Tish described the emotional strain she experienced, admitting, “I could not eat, I could not sleep, I could not stop crying.”
It was during a period when Billy Ray spent two years in Tennessee during the COVID-19 pandemic that Tish began to seriously evaluate her life and marriage. “I took a really good hard look at life,” she said. It was in that period of reflection that Tish realized the emotional toll the relationship was taking on her. “It was so crazy,” she shared. “I had like one month of a complete psychological breakdown. It was the worst thing. Honestly, it was like it was not good.”
The couple, who tied the knot in 2003, had separated multiple times before eventually filing for divorce in 2022. Tish said that the final split was an incredibly painful moment for her, as she had been with Billy Ray for nearly three decades. “I don’t have my husband that I’ve been with for 30 years, like holy crap,” she said. “Like I’m scared, this has been a really hard year for me.”
However, in the wake of her divorce, Tish has entered a new chapter of her life. In August 2023, she married Prison Break star Dominic Purcell, and she expressed how much happier and more supported she feels in her new relationship. “I didn’t look at myself until I met Dom. He’s just such a build-me-up person,” Tish said, sharing her gratitude for the fresh start.
Tish is also immensely proud of her daughter Miley, who recently won her first two Grammys for her hit song “Flowers.” Speaking of Miley’s achievements, Tish said, “It’s so incredible, but it’s so crazy to think she’s only 31 and everything that she’s achieved. She’s just the most incredible human being. I’m so proud of her.” Miley, in turn, gave her mother a shoutout during her Grammy acceptance speech, although she notably didn’t mention her father, Billy Ray, sparking rumors of a family rift.
The tension within the family may stem from Billy Ray’s past comments about Hannah Montana, the show that catapulted Miley into stardom. In a 2011 interview, Billy Ray said that the series “destroyed our family” and that he would take it back in a second. Tish and Brandy strongly disagreed with that statement. “Did you guys feel that way? Absolutely not. Not at all,” Tish replied. “The family’s not destroyed, first of all. We’re doing great.”
As Tish moves forward with her new life, it’s clear that she is finding peace and strength after the emotional challenges of her past. Despite the hardships, she is now focused on happiness and supporting her family, especially her daughter’s incredible achievements.
