Firerose has had a few tough months following a health scare and her divorce from Billy Ray Cyrus, but she feels stronger in the aftermath.
“There’s been a few times I wasn’t sure that I would survive,” the Australian singer, 36, exclusively reveals in the latest issue of Us Weekly.
Firerose (real name Johanna Rosie Hodges) experienced a messy divorce from the “Achy Breaky Heart” singer, 63, in June after Cyrus filed for annulment. Two months later, Firerose had a preventative double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery after discovering that she carried the BRCA1 gene.
“It was a very humbling experience that put everything into perspective,” she tells Us, revealing for the first time that she also developed pulmonary embolisms in both of her lungs.
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Firerose previously revealed via Instagram in September that she was rushed to the hospital following a “life-threatening diagnosis.” At the time, she didn’t give any more details but said she was “grateful to be alive.”
Following a five-day hospital stay, Firerose returned home, aware of what could’ve happened. “It’s a very serious thing that can happen and easily can be fatal,” she tells Us of the embolisms.
Firerose’s health scare came amid turmoil in her personal life. The musician married Cyrus in October 2023 following his divorce from Tish Cyrus in April 2022. (Billy Ray and Tish, 57, share daughters Miley, 31, and Noah, 24, and son Braison, 30. Billy Ray also adopted Tish’s eldest kids, Brandi, 37, and Trace, and is the father of Christopher, 32, whom he shares with ex Kristin Luckey.)
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Billy Ray listed his and Firerose’s date of separation as May, just seven months after they said, “I do.” He cited irreconcilable differences and “inappropriate marital conduct” as the reason for their breakup, according to court documents obtained by Us in June.
In the months that followed, Firerose and Billy Ray publicly hurled accusations at each other. Firerose alleged that Billy Ray was abusive and claimed he had “very strict rules” for her, including reading her texts and emails before they were allowed to be sent.
Billy Ray denied the claims and accused Firerose of cheating on him and blocking him from having contact with one of his daughters. She also denied the allegations. (Us confirmed in August that the divorce was finalized with Firerose receiving $0 in their agreement. However, she gets song credits and royalties for the music they wrote together.)
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Despite all the drama, Firerose is happy with how everything transpired. “It was a blessing,” she says of Billy Ray filing for divorce. “I could’ve very well been stuck in that relationship for many more years.”
Firerose — who released her new single, “The One Who Can,” on Friday, October 11 — is now looking ahead to a healthier and happier life without the country singer.
“I’m really enjoying being free to love myself again,” she tells Us. “I lost a lot, but what I gained was my life back.”
Learn more about Firerose’s fresh start by picking up the latest issue of Us Weekly, on newsstands now.
With reporting by Sarah Jones
