Miley Cyrus has subtly but clearly shown her support for her mother, Tish Cyrus, amid the ongoing controversy involving her estranged father, Billy Ray Cyrus. The pop star's recent social media posts appear to respond to leaked audio and text messages that paint her father in a negative light.
In a series of behind-the-scenes snapshots from a Gucci photoshoot shared on X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram on Wednesday, Miley included two poignant photos of herself embracing her mother, Tish. This heartfelt display of solidarity comes in the wake of troubling allegations against Billy Ray Cyrus.
The controversy erupted after Australian singer Firerose, Billy Ray’s estranged wife, came forward with claims of prolonged "severe verbal, emotional, and psychological mistreatment" during their seven-month marriage. Billy Ray filed for divorce in June, and the proceedings have been contentious.
Leaked audio recordings, obtained by the Daily Mail, allegedly capture Billy Ray in a furious verbal tirade against Firerose. In one recording, the 62-year-old country singer is heard spewing toxic insults and expletives, calling Firerose a "selfish fking b*h" and berating her over a delay before a performance. "If you had just left it the fk alone, now I'm really fking pissed, once again showing you will not listen," he allegedly said.
The recordings suggest that Billy Ray's animosity extends beyond Firerose to other women in his life, including his daughter Miley. In one clip, he allegedly referred to Miley as a "devil" and derogatorily described her and other women in his circle. In a separate message exchange with his manager, Scott Adkins, Billy Ray reportedly used harsh terms to describe his ex-wife, Tish, calling her a "liar," "w***e," "cheat," and "skank."
The authenticity of these recordings and messages has not been independently verified by major outlets such as Music Times. However, the impact on the Cyrus family’s public image has been significant.
Billy Ray’s divorce lawyers have responded to the controversy, accusing Firerose of leaking the audio recordings in an attempt to harm Billy Ray's career and extract money from him. "Unfortunately, Ms. Hodges is attempting to litigate her case in the press for her own personal gain and in an attempt to harm our client's longstanding career, as she promised she would do if he tried to divorce her," the lawyers stated to Entertainment Tonight.
They further claimed that Firerose’s actions were a "last-ditch effort" to gain leverage in the divorce proceedings. "At this point Ms. Hodges has played her last card, while Mr. Cyrus, on the other hand, has much more material to present to the Court to demonstrate the lies that she made public throughout these proceedings," the lawyers added.
Despite the turmoil, Miley’s recent social media posts indicate where her loyalties lie. Her embrace of Tish in the photos speaks volumes, suggesting a united front against the accusations leveled at Billy Ray. Miley’s caption, "This Is Me...Now," coupled with the family-centric photos, underscores her focus on family amid the public scrutiny.
This family drama adds another chapter to the turbulent saga of the Cyrus family, known as much for their public disputes as their musical contributions. As the divorce proceedings continue, and with both sides gearing up to present their cases, the public remains engrossed in the unfolding story.