Country music icon Billy Ray Cyrus has recently unveiled plans for his new album, “The Hill,” which marks his first original record in 14 years. The album is set for release on June 16 and comes at a significant moment in Cyrus’s life, both personally and professionally. In a candid interview with PEOPLE, the 64-year-old reflected on his journey towards finding peace, including his recent romance with actress Elizabeth Hurley, reconnecting with family, and reigniting his musical career.
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Cyrus took a stroll around his expansive property just outside Nashville, a place he has called home for three decades. As he approached a hill that holds special significance for him, Cyrus revealed that it is a daily pilgrimage. It was here, with a grave of his late mother Ruthie nearby, where Cyrus found the inspiration for his upcoming album. Ruthie passed away in 2022, during a tumultuous time in Cyrus’s life marked by a divorce and a severe health scare that left him in hospital.
After a long hiatus from recording, Cyrus has rediscovered his passion for music, spurred on by recent personal victories. The emotional tone of “The Hill” reflects his journey through hardship, including reconciliation with his children and a newfound love with Hurley, 61. “The past is over and done. The future is what we have, and we got to look forward,” Cyrus shared, highlighting his optimistic outlook.
Achieving fame in 1992 with the hit “Achy Breaky Heart,” Cyrus became a household name and made the decision to stop drinking shortly thereafter. He spoke candidly about his past struggles, saying, “I did drink a lot until 1992… After 10 years of failure and being told no, I finally got a record deal, and that inner voice said, ‘This is going to happen, but you have to stop drinking.’ So I just stopped.”
Cyrus’s personal life has been a whirlwind, including a tumultuous marriage to Tish Cyrus. They were married for 28 years, during which they welcomed three children together—Miley, Braison, and Noah. After a series of separations, the couple’s divorce in 2022 seemed inevitable. “Sometimes change is scary, and I’ll keep doing the wrong thing for a long time because I’m scared of change,” he admitted, recognising that the end of his marriage forced him to adapt.
Following the global pandemic and the end of his marriage, Cyrus reached a low point. His personal difficulties escalated when he briefly wed Australian singer Johanna Rosie Scholem, a union that ended in chaos and allegations of mutual misconduct. Reflecting on this dark period, Cyrus remarked, “When you’re completely on the bottom, that is the only way to go — up.” He acknowledged the profound impact of these experiences on his life and career.
Now, with the shadows of the past behind him, Cyrus expresses pride in his children as they navigate adulthood. He emphasised the importance of family, remarking, “Life is a series of adjustments… Whatever happened is in the rearview mirror.” Involving his children in his music brings him joy, with Braison serving as a producer and Noah collaborating on a duet for “The Hill.”
Cyrus’s family has also been instrumental in supporting him through health challenges. In 2024, he faced a serious diagnosis of vocal paralysis following a near-fatal bout of sepsis. Throughout this ordeal, his grandson Bear’s encouragement helped him find hope. “In this very broken moment of my life, my little grandson Bear looked at me and said, ‘Try again,'” Cyrus recalled, revealing that this simple yet profound encouragement revitalised his spirit.
His relationship with Hurley adds another layer of excitement to his current chapter. After meeting on a movie set in 2022, the couple’s relationship blossomed and they went public with their romance on Easter Sunday 2025. Spending time between Tennessee and London, Cyrus described his international travel with Hurley as a significant and invigorating shift in his life, exclaiming, “I had to do it. This feels like something real.”
At an age when many consider retiring, Cyrus finds himself re-energised and inspired by new opportunities. “What more could I ask for? I don’t have anything to complain about,” he conveyed, expressing satisfaction with his life at present. As he prepares for the release of “The Hill,” it stands as a testament not only to his resilience but also to the power of love, family, and a renewed passion for music.
For those interested in learning more about Billy Ray Cyrus, further insights can be found in the latest issue of PEOPLE, which hits newsstands soon.