Billy Ray Cyrus Says Elizabeth Hurley Offered Him A Lifeline When He Was At His Lowest
Cyrus, 63, reflected on his love life during his appearance on the show, and shared how Hurley, 59, offered him a lifeline when he was at his lowest and didn't think things could get "any harder." The timing coincided with his split from ex-wife Firerose in 2024, and the surprise yet much-needed support came in the form of an unexpected message from his Christmas in Paradise co-star.
"I felt like, 'Wow, can life get any harder? Can it get any tougher?'" the "Achy Breaky Heart "singer recalled. "For me, at a certain point it was like, you can't get knocked down any flatter than laying on your back when life is kicking you. And in this moment... a friend reached out."
It All Started With A Text Message
The ageless actress's text, according to Cyrus, was something along the lines of: "Hey, it looks like life might be a little bit tough and just wanted you to know I'm in your corner; you've got a friend in your corner."
Although the Elizabeth Hurley Swim founder and the Hannah Montana actor worked together on the holiday film over two years ago, they hadn't kept in touch – so much so that the "She's Not Cryin' Anymore" singer didn't even recognize the number!
"So, I text back, I go, 'Who is this?' And it's like, 'Elizabeth Hurley,'" Cyrus spilled, adding: "Of all the people to reach out to me in that second that maybe I needed most… this friend who made me laugh."
Billy Ray Cyrus Continues To Praise 'Impressively Brilliant' Elizabeth Hurley
The "In the Heart of a Woman" singer went on to say that despite not seeing each other since they finished filming, he remembered "there was a chemistry" between them on set, even though they only had a few scenes together.
"We just laughed, and it was at a time I wasn't laughing a lot," Cyrus noted. "The oddest part was first, how much we laughed. Second, I figured we were so different but in some very strange way we had way more in common than we had different."
As their friendship blossomed into something more, the "You Won't Be Lonely Now" singer couldn't help but gush over his new partner. Cyrus praised the Bedazzled actress, calling her "a great human being." He then compared her to legend – and daughter Miley Cyrus' godmother – Dolly Parton, adding: "She's so impressively brilliant. She reminds me a lot of Dolly Parton. She's a very smart businesswoman. If you can laugh together, you can make it through everything."