Additional Coverage:
- Miley Cyrus opens up about father Billy Ray Cyrus’ struggle with sobriety and their complex bond (foxnews.com)
Singer Miley Cyrus opened up about her father, country music star Billy Ray Cyrus, and his struggles with sobriety in a recent interview. Cyrus, who is sober herself, contrasted her experience with her father’s, noting that he seems to find it more difficult. “I think he has a harder time enjoying being sober,” she stated, describing her father’s view of sobriety as a “good bad habit.”
Cyrus expressed compassion for her father, attributing some of his struggles to a lack of support and the different generational norms in which he was raised. She acknowledged that while they don’t shy away from the topic, it isn’t a frequent subject of conversation. Their discussions tend to revolve around shared interests like music and movies, but Cyrus conceded that they “probably should talk about [sobriety] at some point.”
This isn’t the first time Billy Ray’s potential struggles have been publicly addressed. Earlier this year, Miley’s brother, musician Trace Cyrus, also sober, penned an open letter expressing concern for his father’s well-being.
Miley also touched on the complexities of their relationship in light of her own massive fame, admitting that it likely added “a level of complication to our already complicated dynamic.” She believes her father takes pride in her success but acknowledged the potential difficulty of seeing someone else achieve the dreams one holds for oneself. She credits therapy with helping her process any guilt or shame she felt about her own success, emphasizing her belief that her father ultimately wants the best for her.
The singer revealed that their relationship has faced challenges in the past, particularly during her parents’ divorce in 2022. She admitted to internalizing her mother Tish’s pain during that time, which impacted her relationship with her father.
Now, with both parents finding happiness in new relationships, Cyrus says she’s able to view them as individuals and has mended her relationship with her father. She reflected on the process, stating that her “child self has caught up,” allowing her to approach the situation with more maturity and understanding.