Firerose, the Australian singer previously known as Joanna Rosie Hodges, is opening up about her tumultuous divorce from Billy Ray Cyrus and the profound emotional impact it had on her. In a recent interview with US Weekly, she revealed that the fallout from their separation brought on significant health challenges, leading her to a point where she questioned her own survival
Reflecting on her experience, Firerose stated, “There have been a few times I wasn’t sure that I would survive.” This intense emotional struggle coincided with serious health issues, including a preventative double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery after discovering she carried the BRCA1 gene. She described this experience as “very humbling,” adding that it helped shift her perspective on life. During her recovery, she also faced pulmonary embolisms in both lungs, further complicating her health.
In September, Firerose shared on Instagram that she had been rushed to the hospital due to a life-threatening diagnosis, expressing her gratitude for being alive but withholding specific details at the time. She later disclosed that her hospital stay lasted five days and emphasized the seriousness of her condition, noting how easily it could have been fatal.
The stress of her health issues was compounded by her divorce from Billy Ray, which was finalized just seven months after they tied the knot. Firerose cited irreconcilable differences and inappropriate marital conduct as reasons for their split. During the process, Billy Ray alleged that she was only interested in his last name to further her music career, a claim she firmly denied. In her own filings, Firerose accused him of extreme verbal, emotional, and psychological abuse, which he denied.
Despite the turmoil surrounding their breakup, Firerose is now focusing on healing and moving forward. After reaching a settlement in August, she expressed a sense of relief, stating, “In the end, I am happy for how things worked out. It was a blessing; I could have very well been stuck in that relationship for many more years.”
As she navigates this new chapter, Firerose is prioritizing her health and well-being, ready to embrace the future with renewed strength and clarity.
