Fans might’ve been taken aback by Elizabeth Hurley and Billy Ray Cyrus’ relationship hard launch this month, but her friends knew about the romance for some time.
“Her friends have known about it for a while as it’s not a new thing,” a source exclusively tells Us Weekly, explaining that the actress, 59, “had sworn them all to secrecy and they didn’t tell anyone outside of her tight circle of mostly gay men.”
The insider notes, “Now that she’s announced it, everyone is chattering about it.” However, the pairing didn’t come as a shock to her inner circle, especially because of Hurley’s past romances.
“Liz has a history of dating eccentric guys, so it’s not a huge surprise she’d fall for Billy,” the source says.
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When it comes to Hurley’s friends, the source tells Us, “Everyone’s just happy that [her son] Damian loves him.”
Us previously reported that Billy Ray, 63, has “bonded” with Damian, 23, as he and Hurley continue to grow close. A source exclusively told Us on Tuesday, April 22, that Damian, who is Hurley’s only child, is “really happy seeing his mom happy.” (Hurley shared Damian with her late ex-boyfriend Steve Bing, who died by suicide in June 2020 at age 55.)
Hurley and Cyrus turned heads on Sunday, April 20, when they publicly debuted their relationship on Easter. The couple shared a photo of Cyrus kissing The Royals alum on the cheek while spending the holiday on a farm.
Shortly after their Instagram debut, a source exclusively told Us that things are “going well” between Hurley and Cyrus.
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“They have been friends for years, but it turned romantic recently,” the insider shared on Monday, April 21. “It’s not completely random as they worked together years ago and always kept in touch.”
The twosome costarred in 2022’s Christmas in Paradise, but it is unknown if that was the first time they crossed paths. The source added that Cyrus is “always great about keeping in touch” with his former collaborators and “maintaining friendships,” which he did with Hurley.
Both Hurley and the “Achy Breaky Heart” singer have been through “a lot in life,” the insider says, noting they “bonded over life experiences.”
“They really understand each other and Liz is a very compassionate person, which Billy Ray adores,” the source continues, revealing the English actress has been “spending time with him on his farm in Nashville and they both enjoy the low-key, nature-loving lifestyle.”
In addition to balancing their two worlds — which includes Damian getting to know Cyrus — Hurley has “been in touch” with Billy Ray’s youngest daughter, Noah Cyrus.
A separate source exclusively told Us on Tuesday that Hurley “doesn’t have relationships” with Billy Ray’s two eldest daughters, Brandi Cyrus and Miley Cyrus, “yet.”
Prior to his relationship with Hurley, Billy Ray was married to Cindy Smith from 1986 to 1991. He welcomed his eldest son, Christopher Cyrus, with Kristin Luckey in 1992 and married Tish Cyrus the following year.
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Billy Ray adopted Tish’s two children from a prior relationship, Brandi, 37, and Trace Cyrus, before they welcomed three kids of their own. The former couple share Miley, 32, Noah, 25, and son Braison Cyrus.
The country singer and Tish, 57, divorced in April 2022 after more than 20 years of marriage. Tish married Dominic Purcell the following year and Billy Ray wed Firerose in October 2023. He filed for an annulment in June 2024 and his and Firerose’s divorce was finalized two months later.
Hurley, meanwhile, dated Hugh Grant from 1987 to 2000 before marrying Arun Nayar in 2007. The couple split in 2010. That same year, Hurley got engaged to late Australian athlete Shane Warne, but they called it quits three years later.
